The Best Home Security Systems in Story County, IA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Story County, IA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Story County, IA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Story County every 4 hours 38 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Story County experiences 18.85 property crimes per 1000 people and 2.308 incidents of vandalism per 1000 people in the typical year. A home security system will protect you when you’re at home or away, 24 hours a day.
Home Security Companies Available in Story County, IA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Story County. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (54% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
Affordable Option
Ring
Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
Upgrade Pick
Vivint
Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Story County, IA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Story County, IA. We’ll compare different crime rates and weather along with advanced features that make you feel safer and make your life easier.
Why Crime Grade?
Crime Grade has the most robust and accurate nationwide crime model available. In addition, our data is granular enough to identify and compare crime statistics to the neighborhood level. This puts us in the unique position of being able to evaluate the home security needs of people in a particular county rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Story County, IA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Story County, IA
Our analysis gives Story County a property crime grade of: C. Story County is in the 58th percentile of safety, meaning 58% of cities in Iowa are safer and 42% are more dangerous. Please visit our Story County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the western part of Story County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 32. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 161.
B
D |
|
C |
|
Other Crime Grade |
A+ |
A crime occurs every 3 hours 18 minutes (on average) in Story County, IA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Story County safe? Compared to all of Iowa, Story County is rated as safe as the average Iowa county, which has a property crime rate of 17.97 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Story County, with its burglary rate of 6.439 per 1000, is as safe as the average Iowa county.
In addition, Story County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Story County, IA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Story County, IA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
11.17 |
1,118 |
21.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.9928 |
99 |
1.9 |
Burglary |
6.439 |
644 |
12.4 |
Arson |
0.2478 |
25 |
0.5 |
Weather and Climate in Story County, IA
As strange as it might sound, some home security system features can be more or less important based on the climate you live in.
Home Security Fire Sensors in Story County, IA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Story County, IA is 43.58 degrees, reaching 88.41 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 89.48 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Story County was built in 1984, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Iowa build in 1974.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in Story County, you can judge how important fire sensors and immediate response may be. A combination of smoke detectors, CO2 sensors, and fire alarms connected to a home security system can make that response as swift as possible, whether you’re at work or on vacation.
Home Security Flood Sensors in Story County, IA
Story County, IA gets an average rainfall of 1.3" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.6" for Iowa.
With the risk of flooding and burst pipes, a flood sensor can alert you and authorities as soon as possible. Even a few hours make the difference between an easy restoration and long-term water damage.
Home Security Freeze Sensors in Story County, IA
Story County, IA reaches an average of 22.25 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 35.76 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Story County is 39 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Iowa home that's 49 years old and less time than the national average of a 45-year-old home.
Temperature fluctuations will weaken the structure and foundation of the home, cold temperatures can cause pipes to leak or burst, and if it snows that can cause additional stress on the roof. However, freeze sensors are not an expensive addon. After assessing your Story County home, you can make a more informed decision if they would be a suitable addition to your home security system.
Cost of Home Security Systems in Story County, IA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Story County home, we must determine some of your preferences.
Self-Monitored or Professionally Monitored?
Any home security system you pick will offer a selection of equipment including entry sensors, cameras, etc. The question is, do you actually want to self-monitor your system? If like 41.10% (40,497) of people in Story County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 58.90% or 58,040 of Story County residents own their homes and may be more likely to consider a professionally monitored system to protect their property.
Whether you rent or buy, how well can you monitor your system on your own? For example, if you're one of the 74% of people who commute an average of 23 minutes to work in or around Story County, can you immediately receive notifications on your phone, check cameras in meetings or while working, and call the police if needed?
If not, you might want a professionally monitored system where a company is available 24/7 to respond, whether on vacation or at work. Please see our comprehensive guide on the best home security systems for a complete comparison.
Self-Installed vs. Professional Installation
Most providers have great self-installation options, so if you're handy or tech-savvy, like the 11% of Story County residents working in computer engineering and science, self-installation can be a great option.
Alternatively, when your security system is installed professionally, you can ensure that your equipment is placed correctly and will function without any problems. That peace of mind is valuable for people willing to spend the extra money.
Residents of Story County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $69,394 annually. In addition, 53.8% of residents have a college degree or higher, compared to 32.9% in the United States.
If you're a homeowner, do you have more to protect? The median home value in Story County is $216,669. Compared to the median home value in Iowa of $182,666, your home value will probably be higher. With their larger lots, single-family homes tend to be more isolated from view and a tempting target for burglars.
Find an in-depth review of installation options in our best home security systems guide.
Police Stations Near Story County, IA
There are 9 police stations within the boundaries of Story County, and 4 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Story County center, there are 136 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Story County may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Ames Police Department 515 Clark Avenue Ames, IA 50010 (515) 239-5133 |
City Treasurer 515 Clark Avenue Ames, IA 50010 (515) 239-5119 cityofames.org |
Ames Police Department 515 Clark Avenue Ames, IA 50010 (515) 239-5133 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Story County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Story County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boone County, IA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Marshall County, IA | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Greene County, IA | D | C- | less safe |
| Tama County, IA | D | C- | less safe |
| Carroll County, IA | F | F | less safe |
| Benton County, IA | A- | A | more safe |
| Crawford County, IA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Linn County, IA | B | A | more safe |
| Monona County, IA | D | D | less safe |
| Jones County, IA | A | A- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Story County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Story County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee County, IL | B | B+ | more safe |
| Victoria County, TX | A- | A- | more safe |
| Adams County, PA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Vigo County, IN | D- | D- | less safe |
| Walton County, GA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Walworth County, WI | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Wayne County, NY | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Lancaster County, SC | A- | A | more safe |
| Whitfield County, GA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Macon County, IL | C- | D+ | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Story County, IA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Story County, IA can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the county to help us make an objective recommendation for most residents. Leveraging CrimeGrade.org's uniquely robust and granular crime data, we've scrutinized the options for home security systems, tailoring them to the unique needs and context of Story County residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Simplisafe, Ring, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Story County residents due to their distinctive offerings and reliability, each appealing to varied preferences and budget ranges of homeowners and renters alike. Notably, factors such as Story County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 4 hours 38 minutes in Story County.
- The county experiences 18.85 property crimes and 2.308 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Story County's property crime grade stands at an 'C', comparably as safe as other Iowa {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Story County. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (54% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- Ring: Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
- Vivint: Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 88.41 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 22.25 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.3" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 39 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 41.10% of Story County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 74% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Story County's higher household median income of $69,394 and 53.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Story County hosts 9 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.