The Best Home Security Systems in Whatcom County, WA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Whatcom County, WA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Whatcom County, WA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Whatcom County every 59 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Whatcom County experiences 38.63 property crimes per 1000 people and 9.146 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 Whatcom County, WA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Whatcom County. The combination of a high amount of renters (36%) and education level (36% 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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Whatcom County, WA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Whatcom County, WA. 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 Whatcom County, WA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Whatcom County, WA
Our analysis gives Whatcom County a property crime grade of: D+. Whatcom County is in the 71st percentile of safety, meaning 71% of cities in Washington are safer and 29% are more dangerous. Please visit our Whatcom County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Whatcom County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 18. Compare this to the northern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 66.
C
A |
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D+ |
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Other Crime Grade |
B- |
A crime occurs every 43 minutes (on average) in Whatcom County, WA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Whatcom County safe? Compared to all of Washington, Whatcom County is rated as safe as the average Washington county, which has a property crime rate of 35.00 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where Whatcom County, with its burglary rate of 7.041 per 1000, is as safe as the average Washington county.
In addition, Whatcom County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Whatcom County, WA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Whatcom County, WA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
26.90 |
6,134 |
118.0 |
Vehicle Theft |
4.565 |
1,041 |
20.0 |
Burglary |
7.041 |
1,606 |
30.9 |
Arson |
0.1270 |
29 |
0.6 |
Weather and Climate in Whatcom County, WA
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 Whatcom County, WA
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Whatcom County was built in 1987, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Washington build in 1984.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in Whatcom 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 Whatcom County, WA
Whatcom County, WA gets an average rainfall of 0.9" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.8" for Washington.
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 Whatcom County, WA
Whatcom County, WA reaches an average of 41.37 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 37.80 degrees in December.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Whatcom County is 36 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Washington home that's 39 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 Whatcom 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 Whatcom County, WA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Whatcom 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 36.16% (82,034) of people in Whatcom County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 63.84% or 144,813 of Whatcom 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 81% of people who commute an average of 26 minutes to work in or around Whatcom 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 6% of Whatcom 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 Whatcom County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $73,903 annually. In addition, 36.1% 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 Whatcom County is $386,307. Compared to the median home value in Washington of $453,663, 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 Whatcom County, WA
There are 29 police stations within the boundaries of Whatcom County, and 9 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Whatcom County center, there are 48 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Whatcom 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.
| Bureau Of Customs And Border Protection 2745 Mcleod Road Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 332-8781 help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1208//cbp-contact-u |
State Patrol Vehicle Inspctn 3860 Airport Way Bellingham, WA 98226 (360) 738-6215 |
Washington State Patrol 3860 Airport Way Bellingham, WA 98226 (360) 738-6215 des.wa.gov |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Whatcom County, WA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Whatcom County, WA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skagit County, WA | F | F | less safe |
| San Juan County, WA | D- | D- | less safe |
| Island County, WA | A | A | more safe |
| Jefferson County, WA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Snohomish County, WA | B+ | B | more safe |
| Clallam County, WA | F | F | less safe |
| Okanogan County, WA | D | D+ | less safe |
| Ferry County, WA | D | D+ | less safe |
| Stevens County, WA | B | B | more safe |
| Pend Oreille County, WA | A+ | A | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Whatcom County, WA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Whatcom County, WA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County, GA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Butler County, PA | A | A- | more safe |
| Butte County, CA | B | B | more safe |
| Cabarrus County, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Caddo Parish, LA | C | C- | more safe |
| Washington County, AR | B- | B | more safe |
| Calcasieu Parish, LA | B | B+ | more safe |
| Warren County, OH | A | A+ | more safe |
| Union County, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Canyon County, ID | B | C- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Whatcom County, WA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Whatcom County, WA 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 Whatcom 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 ADT have emerged as the top choices for Whatcom 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 Whatcom County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 59 minutes in Whatcom County.
- The county experiences 38.63 property crimes and 9.146 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Whatcom County's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Washington {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Whatcom County. The combination of a high amount of renters (36%) and education level (36% 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 41.37 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.9" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 36 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 36.16% of Whatcom County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 81% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Whatcom County's higher household median income of $73,903 and 36.1% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Whatcom County hosts 29 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.