Burglary is the most common crime in America. It is estimated that one burglary happens every 27.7 seconds, 3,300 per day, and over 1 million annually. About 56% of burglaries occur on residential properties.
You can keep intruders at bay in many ways, including using strong locks on doors and windows, but the best way is to have a security system.
In the past few years, the home security and monitoring industry has grown noticeably, with home owns spending more time at home.
According to the 2022 State of safety in America report, 62% of U.S citizens use some kind of security measure to protect their homes.
In this article, we are going to look at some latest statistics about home security to give you some insight into the world of home security. Let’s get started!
Home Security Key Statistics
Here are some Home Security Key Statistics that you should know:
1. Nearly 1 million burglaries take place in the U.S each year
Burglaries are a growing concern in the U.S because they are a major source of property loss.
According to a study led by the Department of Justice, over 1.7 million burglaries occurred within the United States during the calendar year.
However, the rate is decreasing each year due to advanced home security measures. In 2020, 903,727 burglaries were reported, which was the lowest, it has been since 2010.
2. More than 60% of the Burglars target homes than businesses
In general, burglars target homes more than businesses as they tend to be easier targets.
Also, burglars know that if they break into a home while people are sleeping or away from the premises, chances are good that nobody will hear anything until much later on in the day or evening when most people return home again after work hours end at 5 p.m. every day except Sunday which is closed due to labor laws dictating rest days during those times too!
3. Only 17% of homes in America have a Security System
Research has found that only 17% of the homes in America have installed a security system to professionally monitored the security.
Security cameras are the most commonly used type of home security in the United States, followed by dogs, firearms, and security alarms.
4. 40% of U.S Citizens Don’t Use Any Kind of Home Security System
Research has found that 40% of the homes in the U.S have installed a security system to professionally monitored security systems even though it only costs as little as $10 per month to install such systems.
It means that every 1 in 4 American citizens use a security system to protect their homes.
5. Only 5% of burglaries occur in households with a security system
If you’ve ever wondered why burglars go to homes with a good security system? That’s because they know that the owner doesn’t have one!
Thus, reducing their chances of getting caught. The home security statistics showed that only around 5% of burglaries in America occur in households with a security system.
Read: Home Invasion Statistics
6. 60% Of the Convicted burglars say that they avoid homes with Security Alarms or Camera
About 60% of the convicted burglars said that a presence of a security alarm or a visible security camera would steer them to another house to burglarize as there are higher chances of getting caught.
With the help of a security camera, you can identify suspicious activity, and monitor your children or even the behavior of your pets, and burglars are less likely to commit crimes in front of surveillance cameras than they would be without them.
7. 45% of the Millennials have a home security system installed
When we look at home security statistics by generation, we see that the Millennials are most likely to install a security system, with 45% admitting to having one.
On the other hand, Baby Boomers are the least likely to have security systems, with only 12% having one in their homes.
8. Homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized
Homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be broken into than those with them.
Burglars usually avoid entering the houses with a visible security camera and choose houses without one as their target.
Security systems can deter the burglars and alert the owners if someone is trying to break into their house while they are away or sleeping.
9. 34% of burglars enter through the front door
Home burglary statistics reveal that 34% of burglars enter a property through the front door.
People usually forget to close their front door or hide the door key within easy access that burglars can find easily.
Burglars also like breaking into houses where there is a lot of stuff inside, like electronics, and they can quickly grab things and leave.
They even sometimes use tools such as crowbars or hammers to get into locked doors so that no one hears them coming in through windows or open garage doors.
10. Around 5% of all burglaries are “Hot prowls”
Hot prowl burglaries are when the burglar gets caught in the act. This type of burglary is more likely to be committed by a stranger rather than an acquaintance or friend of the victim.
Hot prowl burglary rates vary across cities, with some cities reporting rates as high as 5%.
The average rate of hot prowls has been estimated at 2-3% in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada since 2004.
11. Most home invasions happen between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Most burglars are opportunistic and look for an easy target. They don’t want to get caught, hurt, or killed and look for a quick score as well, which is they usually break in between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when people are most likely to be at their jobs or school, and the house is most likely to be empty. means you are most vulnerable when you leave the house or get home from work and enter the house through a keypad lock or a door handle lock combination.
12. Burglars typically spend less than 10 minutes inside a house
Burglars typically spend less than ten minutes inside a home. They don’t linger or confront anyone to avoid revealing their identity.
So, if you hear someone break in, hide or lock yourself in the room and wait for the burglar to leave to stay safe.
13. 68% of People install a Security Camera at the front door
With 34% of burglars using the front door to enter the house, around 68% of people install security cameras at their front doors, followed by living room with 61% of people installing home security cameras here. Only 13% of people admit to installing the camera in their bedroom.
14. 65% of people already know the burglar
According to a 2020 SafeAtlast report, 65% of the people are already acquainted with the burglar, and the majority of the burglaries were committed by people who know their victims beforehand.
15. The average loss per home invasion is $2,251
The average loss per burglary is $2,251. Most of these losses are due to cash, jewelry, electronics, and tools and exceed the cost of a basic home security system, not including the emotional damage it causes your family.
16. Home Security can reduce your home owner’s insurance by up to 20%
Installing security devices in your home can reduce your homeowner’s insurance by up to 20%. Most insurance companies offer 2% to 5% on your premiums if you have a security system at your home.
This is because they understand that a professionally monitored security camera adds an extra layer of security to your home and reduces the likelihood of your home being burglarized or suffer any fire or water damage.
17. 22% of people experience property crime in the Western States
Looking region wise data, people living in the western states are more likely to be a victim of property crime, with 22% of people experiencing a crime, while Midwestern states are the most secure, with only 14% experiencing a crime in their home.
18. 65% of Americans Keep Current Security System
About 65% of Americans use the latest security system to ensure the safety of their loved ones safe.
The home security systems can be operated from anywhere while you are away from home. They can talk to you and adapt to your daily routine.
19. Only 13% of burglaries are Solved
About 72% of the burglaries are officially reported to the police. Out of only these, 13% of cases are resolved, and robbers are brought to justice. Most of the burglaries go unsolved by the police due to a lack of solid evidence.
20. ATD Security company has more than 8 million customers
With 6 million customers, ATD Security Services is the oldest and most reliable home security provider in the U.S. The company currently serves 8 million customers and still counting.
The company offers some of the highest quality equipment on the market for 24/7 monitoring at an affordable monthly cost.
21. Technology is the number one consideration when choosing a security system
While choosing a home security system; technology is the number one factor with 30% votes that affect a consumer’s choice, followed by Price (26%), Professional monitoring (24%), Detectors (8%), Brand (7%), installation ease (5%).
22. Burglary is the top crime in the U.S, with 41.55% of victims
41.55% in the U.S. were a victim of burglary, followed by larceny-theft (19.26%), motor vehicle theft (21.62%), vandalism (11.15%), arson (2.36%), other (4.05%).
Burglary Statistics & Facts
- Every day, more than 2,800 burglaries happen in the United States.
- Out of all the reported burglaries, the police are able to solve only 14% of cases due to a lack of evidence.
- Rental properties are more prone to burglaries than any other property.
- The household burglary rate is higher in summer and lower in winter.
- A total of 49% of all residential burglaries happened during day time.
- Approximately 46% of burglaries had forced entry.
- Personal electronics were the top choice of theft (28.04%), followed by a Car (27.36%), Cash or liquid assets (25%), jewelry (24.66%), etc.
- Most burglaries occur at night (29.05%), followed by the Afternoon (24.32%), Evening (19.59%), and morning (13.85%).
- 47.64% of Americans were present inside their house when the burglary occurred.
- 45.7% of Americans are concerned about their packages and deliveries being stolen.
- 30% of thieves are motivated by drugs, followed by homelessness (24%), gang (12%), interpersonal issues (9%), and mental health (4%).
Shefali Jain is a Content Editor & Writer at National Planning Cycles.
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes.