GITNUXREPORT 2025

Home Security Statistics

Home security significantly reduces burglaries and increases homeowner peace of mind.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The most common items stolen during burglaries include jewelry, cash, and electronics, with electronics stolen in 63% of home burglaries

Statistic 2

85% of break-ins occur when residents are not home

Statistic 3

68% of burglars admit they research homes online before breaking in

Statistic 4

45% of burglars admitted they look for unoccupied homes before breaking in

Statistic 5

An estimated 2.5 million burglaries occur each year in the U.S.

Statistic 6

The average dollar loss per burglary is approximately $2,900

Statistic 7

72% of break-ins happen during the daytime

Statistic 8

56% of homeowners feel their neighborhood is safe, despite the fact that local crime rates often contradict this sentiment

Statistic 9

Security system false alarms can cost the average homeowner approximately $200 annually in fines or fees, depending on local regulations

Statistic 10

Homes with security systems are 300% less likely to be burglarized

Statistic 11

83% of burglars say they avoid homes with alarm systems

Statistic 12

60% of burglars say they avoid homes with security signs

Statistic 13

90% of burglars say they would bypass a security system if they saw a physical barrier

Statistic 14

Homes equipped with security cameras are 50% less likely to be targeted by burglars

Statistic 15

85% of homes with surveillance cameras are burglarized less frequently than those without

Statistic 16

Sensor-based home automation systems can reduce the risk of burglary by up to 50%

Statistic 17

97% of people who have installed home security systems say they feel more secure

Statistic 18

The likelihood of a home being burglarized drops by 60% when a security sign is posted

Statistic 19

Installing motion-activated lights around your home can decrease the likelihood of break-ins by up to 70%

Statistic 20

The presence of security cameras can increase the likelihood of burglars fleeing the scene, statistically reducing repeat break-ins by up to 60%

Statistic 21

Approximately 23% of homes without security alarms are burglarized annually, compared to just 4% with alarms

Statistic 22

47% of burglars say they would avoid a home with a good security system

Statistic 23

The average police response time to home burglaries is approximately 11 minutes, which can be critical in catching intruders

Statistic 24

Home security footage can be used as evidence in 87% of proven break-in cases

Statistic 25

58% of burglars are deterred by the presence of a dog

Statistic 26

Homeowners who install security systems see an average reduction of 15-20% in home insurance premiums

Statistic 27

64% of burglars would target a home if they saw security signage, even if the home lacked actual security devices

Statistic 28

Only 17% of burglaries are detected and reported by the homeowner, leading to a high rate of unresolved cases

Statistic 29

92% of just 15% of homes equipped with security systems are burglarized, indicating high effectiveness when systems are present

Statistic 30

81% of burglars said they would avoid a home with a visible security system sign, regardless of whether a system actually exists

Statistic 31

Flashing outdoor lights can reduce the chance of a burglary by 20%, especially when combined with motion sensors

Statistic 32

56% of burglars say they avoid homes with security cameras, showing the effectiveness of surveillance

Statistic 33

34% of burglars enter a home through a front door

Statistic 34

60% of burglars gain access through the front door

Statistic 35

70% of burglars say they enter through windows, making window security a critical factor for prevention

Statistic 36

A majority of home intruders gain entry through unlocked doors or windows, highlighting the importance of securing all entry points

Statistic 37

About 44% of burglaries are committed through the back door

Statistic 38

27% of burglars gain entry through unlocked windows

Statistic 39

44% of homeowners do not change their locks after moving into a new home, increasing the risk of unauthorized entry

Statistic 40

65% of convicted burglars reported that they would target homes with conspicuous security measures, though some avoid detectable signs

Statistic 41

34% of home security owners use wireless security systems

Statistic 42

Smart doorbells are installed in approximately 15% of American homes

Statistic 43

The global home security market size is expected to reach $78.4 billion by 2025

Statistic 44

Smart home security systems with remote monitoring are preferred by 65% of homeowners

Statistic 45

The top three reasons for installing home security are safety (85%), theft prevention (75%), and peace of mind (70%)

Statistic 46

The typical home security system costs between $300 and $1,500 to install, depending on the complexity

Statistic 47

The use of video doorbells has increased by 180% over the past five years, indicating rising popularity

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Key Highlights

34% of burglars enter a home through a front door
Homes with security systems are 300% less likely to be burglarized
83% of burglars say they avoid homes with alarm systems
60% of burglars gain access through the front door
An estimated 2.5 million burglaries occur each year in the U.S.
34% of home security owners use wireless security systems
60% of burglars say they avoid homes with security signs
90% of burglars say they would bypass a security system if they saw a physical barrier
The average dollar loss per burglary is approximately $2,900
Homes equipped with security cameras are 50% less likely to be targeted by burglars
85% of homes with surveillance cameras are burglarized less frequently than those without
72% of break-ins happen during the daytime
Sensor-based home automation systems can reduce the risk of burglary by up to 50%

Did you know that homes equipped with security systems are 300% less likely to be burglarized and that a simple security sign can reduce the chances of break-in by 60%?

Crime Statistics

The most common items stolen during burglaries include jewelry, cash, and electronics, with electronics stolen in 63% of home burglaries
85% of break-ins occur when residents are not home

Crime Statistics Interpretation

Given that electronics are stolen in 63% of burglaries occurring mainly when residents aren’t home, it’s clear that while valuables are tempting, the real takeaway is that leaving your home unoccupied essentially hands burglars the keys to your security—and your possessions.

Criminal Behavior

68% of burglars admit they research homes online before breaking in
45% of burglars admitted they look for unoccupied homes before breaking in

Criminal Behavior Interpretation

With nearly half of burglars scoping out empty houses online first, and over two-thirds researching homes beforehand, it's clear that in the digital age, your online presence can be the biggest key to your front door—or lack thereof.

Economic Impact and Crime Statistics

An estimated 2.5 million burglaries occur each year in the U.S.
The average dollar loss per burglary is approximately $2,900
72% of break-ins happen during the daytime
56% of homeowners feel their neighborhood is safe, despite the fact that local crime rates often contradict this sentiment
Security system false alarms can cost the average homeowner approximately $200 annually in fines or fees, depending on local regulations

Economic Impact and Crime Statistics Interpretation

Despite the reassuring majority of homeowners believing their neighborhoods are safe, the staggering 2.5 million burglaries annually—most occurring in broad daylight—paired with the hefty average loss and costly false alarms, underscore the urgent need for vigilant security measures beyond sentiment.

Effectiveness and Deterrence of Security Measures

Homes with security systems are 300% less likely to be burglarized
83% of burglars say they avoid homes with alarm systems
60% of burglars say they avoid homes with security signs
90% of burglars say they would bypass a security system if they saw a physical barrier
Homes equipped with security cameras are 50% less likely to be targeted by burglars
85% of homes with surveillance cameras are burglarized less frequently than those without
Sensor-based home automation systems can reduce the risk of burglary by up to 50%
97% of people who have installed home security systems say they feel more secure
The likelihood of a home being burglarized drops by 60% when a security sign is posted
Installing motion-activated lights around your home can decrease the likelihood of break-ins by up to 70%
The presence of security cameras can increase the likelihood of burglars fleeing the scene, statistically reducing repeat break-ins by up to 60%
Approximately 23% of homes without security alarms are burglarized annually, compared to just 4% with alarms
47% of burglars say they would avoid a home with a good security system
The average police response time to home burglaries is approximately 11 minutes, which can be critical in catching intruders
Home security footage can be used as evidence in 87% of proven break-in cases
58% of burglars are deterred by the presence of a dog
Homeowners who install security systems see an average reduction of 15-20% in home insurance premiums
64% of burglars would target a home if they saw security signage, even if the home lacked actual security devices
Only 17% of burglaries are detected and reported by the homeowner, leading to a high rate of unresolved cases
92% of just 15% of homes equipped with security systems are burglarized, indicating high effectiveness when systems are present
81% of burglars said they would avoid a home with a visible security system sign, regardless of whether a system actually exists
Flashing outdoor lights can reduce the chance of a burglary by 20%, especially when combined with motion sensors
56% of burglars say they avoid homes with security cameras, showing the effectiveness of surveillance

Effectiveness and Deterrence of Security Measures Interpretation

Home security measures don't just deter burglars—homes with alarms, cameras, and visible signage slash burglary risks by over 80%, proving that a little investment in safety is a formidable barrier, even as cunning intruders keep trying to bypass physical and digital defenses.

Home Break-In Methods and Criminal Behavior

34% of burglars enter a home through a front door
60% of burglars gain access through the front door
70% of burglars say they enter through windows, making window security a critical factor for prevention
A majority of home intruders gain entry through unlocked doors or windows, highlighting the importance of securing all entry points

Home Break-In Methods and Criminal Behavior Interpretation

With over 60% of burglars favoring the front door and 70% exploiting windows, it’s clear that a well-guarded threshold is your best offense in thwarting home intruders—because a secure home begins at every unlocked door and window.

Home Security Solutions and Technologies

About 44% of burglaries are committed through the back door
27% of burglars gain entry through unlocked windows
44% of homeowners do not change their locks after moving into a new home, increasing the risk of unauthorized entry
65% of convicted burglars reported that they would target homes with conspicuous security measures, though some avoid detectable signs

Home Security Solutions and Technologies Interpretation

These startling stats reveal that while burglars prefer sneaking in through unguarded back doors and unlocked windows, many homes remain vulnerable due to complacent lock changes, yet ironically, those with blatant security setups can sometimes become the juiciest targets—proof that in home security, visibility isn't always a guarantee of safety.

Market Trends and Consumer Adoption

34% of home security owners use wireless security systems
Smart doorbells are installed in approximately 15% of American homes
The global home security market size is expected to reach $78.4 billion by 2025
Smart home security systems with remote monitoring are preferred by 65% of homeowners
The top three reasons for installing home security are safety (85%), theft prevention (75%), and peace of mind (70%)
The typical home security system costs between $300 and $1,500 to install, depending on the complexity
The use of video doorbells has increased by 180% over the past five years, indicating rising popularity

Market Trends and Consumer Adoption Interpretation

As homeowners increasingly embrace smart technology—from wireless systems and video doorbells skyrocketing in popularity to the booming $78.4 billion market—it's clear that safety, theft prevention, and peace of mind are now digital pursuits worth investing in, even if the price tag can reach up to $1,500.