The Best Home Security Systems in Washington County, AL
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Washington County, AL? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Washington County, AL home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Washington County every 14 hours 5 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Washington County experiences 42.86 property crimes per 1000 people and 12.66 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 Washington County, AL
Best Overall
Vivint
We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 90% of residents in Washington County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Washington County where the median age is 42.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Washington County, AL?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Washington County, AL. 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 Washington County, AL and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Washington County, AL
Our analysis gives Washington County a property crime grade of: D-. Washington County is in the 85th percentile of safety, meaning 85% of cities in Alabama are safer and 15% are more dangerous. Please visit our Washington County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of Washington County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 7. Compare this to the southwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 69.
D-
D |
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D- |
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Other Crime Grade |
D |
A crime occurs every 8 hours 39 minutes (on average) in Washington County, AL.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Washington County safe? Compared to all of Alabama, Washington County is rated less safe than the average Alabama county, which has a property crime rate of 26.84 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Washington County, with its burglary rate of 8.624 per 1000, is as safe as the average Alabama county.
In addition, Washington County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Washington County, AL.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Washington County, AL |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
32.85 |
477 |
9.2 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.349 |
20 |
0.4 |
Burglary |
8.624 |
125 |
2.4 |
Arson |
0.0380 |
1 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Washington County, AL
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 Washington County, AL
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Washington County, AL is 63.70 degrees, reaching 97.40 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 97.34 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Washington County was built in 1984, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Alabama build in 1987.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Washington 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 Washington County, AL
Washington County, AL gets an average rainfall of 2.0" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.7" for Alabama.
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 Washington County, AL
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Washington County is 39 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Alabama home that's 36 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 Washington 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 Washington County, AL
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Washington 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 9.57% (1,472) of people in Washington County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 90.43% or 13,916 of Washington 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 90% of people who commute an average of 39 minutes to work in or around Washington 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 2% of Washington 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 Washington County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $56,602 annually. In addition, 15.0% 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 Washington County is $130,217. Compared to the median home value in Alabama of $185,232, your home value will probably be lower. 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 Washington County, AL
There are 7 police stations within the boundaries of Washington County, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Washington County center, there are 60 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Washington County may be slower. When response times can be improved, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Chatom Police Department 27 Cochran Avenue Chatom, AL 36518 (251) 847-2117 chatom.org |
Washington County Sheriff 45 Court St Chatom, AL 36518 (251) 847-2202 |
Mc Intosh Police Department 206 Commerce St Mc Intosh, AL 36553 (251) 944-2973 mcintoshalabama.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Washington County, AL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Washington County, AL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County, AL | F | F | less safe |
| Forrest County, MS | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Conecuh County, AL | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Jefferson Davis County, MS | F | D- | less safe |
| Lawrence County, MS | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Lincoln County, MS | A | A | more safe |
| Coffee County, AL | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Dale County, AL | B | B | more safe |
| Franklin County, MS | D+ | C | more safe |
| Henry County, AL | A+ | A- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Washington County, AL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Washington County, AL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County, MS | D+ | C | more safe |
| Fayette County, TX | A | A- | more safe |
| Fentress County, TN | A- | B+ | more safe |
| Fillmore County, NE | B- | B | more safe |
| Floyd County, TX | C | B- | more safe |
| Franklin City, VA | C- | D | more safe |
| Franklin County, AR | C | B- | more safe |
| Franklin County, FL | D+ | D | more safe |
| Franklin County, GA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Fayette County, IN | F | F | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Washington County, AL
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Washington County, AL 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 Washington 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.
Vivint, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for Washington 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 Washington County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 14 hours 5 minutes in Washington County.
- The county experiences 42.86 property crimes and 12.66 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Washington County's property crime grade stands at an 'D-', comparably less safe than other Alabama {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Vivint: We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 90% of residents in Washington County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Washington County where the median age is 42.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 97.40 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 2.0" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 39 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 9.57% of Washington County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 90% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Washington County's lower household median income of $56,602 and 15.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Washington County hosts 7 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.