The Best Home Security Systems in Wake County, NC
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Wake County, NC? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Wake County, NC home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Wake County every 20 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Wake County experiences 21.78 property crimes per 1000 people and 3.810 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 Wake County, NC
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Wake County. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (55% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
Best Reputation
ADT
Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
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 Wake County, NC?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Wake County, NC. 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 Wake County, NC and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Wake County, NC
Our analysis gives Wake County a property crime grade of: B+. Wake County is in the 25th percentile of safety, meaning 25% of cities in North Carolina are safer and 75% are more dangerous. Please visit our Wake County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northwestern part of Wake County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 22. Compare this to the southwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 86.
A
A |
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B+ |
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Other Crime Grade |
A+ |
A crime occurs every 15 minutes (on average) in Wake County, NC.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Wake County safe? Compared to all of North Carolina, Wake County is rated safer than the average North Carolina county, which has a property crime rate of 37.26 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Wake County, with its burglary rate of 4.951 per 1000, is as safe as the average North Carolina county.
In addition, Wake County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Wake County, NC.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Wake County, NC |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
15.81 |
18,445 |
354.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.9250 |
1,079 |
20.8 |
Burglary |
4.951 |
5,776 |
111.1 |
Arson |
0.0897 |
105 |
2.0 |
Weather and Climate in Wake County, NC
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 Wake County, NC
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Wake County, NC is 61.74 degrees, reaching 100.48 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 95.40 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Wake County was built in 1996, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in North Carolina build in 1989.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Wake 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 Wake County, NC
Wake County, NC gets an average rainfall of 1.5" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.2" for North Carolina.
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 Wake County, NC
Wake County, NC reaches an average of 52.23 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 59.48 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Wake County is 27 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average North Carolina home that's 34 years old and much 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 Wake 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 Wake County, NC
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Wake 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 32.56% (367,784) of people in Wake County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 67.44% or 761,626 of Wake 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 77% of people who commute an average of 31 minutes to work in or around Wake 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 14% of Wake 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 Wake County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $99,429 annually. In addition, 54.9% 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 Wake County is $336,400. Compared to the median home value in North Carolina of $226,477, 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 Wake County, NC
There are 86 police stations within the boundaries of Wake County, and 42 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Wake County center, there are 240 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Wake County may be much faster. Even when response times are great, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Town Of Wendell 2610 Wolf Village Way Raleigh, NC 27695 (919) 515-3000 townofwendell.com |
Carolina North State University 201 Boney Drive Raleigh, NC 27695 (919) 515-5905 provost.ncsu.edu |
Raleigh Police Department 601 Hutton St # 104 Raleigh, NC 27606 (919) 996-6167 raleighnc.gov |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Wake County, NC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Wake County, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham County, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Wilson County, NC | A- | A- | about as safe |
| Randolph County, NC | B+ | B+ | about as safe |
| Davidson County, NC | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Martin County, NC | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Rowan County, NC | A- | B+ | about as safe |
| Washington County, NC | B+ | C+ | about as safe |
| Iredell County, NC | A | A+ | more safe |
| Tyrrell County, NC | A- | A | more safe |
| Alexander County, NC | A- | A- | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Wake County, NC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Wake County, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson County, NJ | F | F | less safe |
| Hartford County, CT | F | D- | less safe |
| Contra Costa County, CA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Shelby County, TN | D- | D- | less safe |
| Collin County, TX | B | A- | about as safe |
| Snohomish County, WA | B+ | B | about as safe |
| Cobb County, GA | F | F | less safe |
| Hennepin County, MN | D | D- | less safe |
| Hidalgo County, TX | D | D+ | less safe |
| Hillsborough County, FL | C- | C- | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Wake County, NC
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Wake County, NC 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 Wake 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, ADT, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Wake 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 Wake County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 20 minutes in Wake County.
- The county experiences 21.78 property crimes and 3.810 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Wake County's property crime grade stands at an 'B+', comparably safer than other North Carolina {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Wake County. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (55% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- ADT: Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
- 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 100.48 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 52.23 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 27 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 32.56% of Wake County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 77% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Wake County's higher household median income of $99,429 and 54.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Wake County hosts 86 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.