Every 25.7 seconds, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or reassessing your defenses, understanding the current landscape of home security through hard data is the most rational starting point. This article compiles the latest home security statistics from the FBI, Bureau of Justice Statistics, and other authoritative sources.
Key Home Security Statistics at a Glance (2024–2026)
- 1 burglary every ~25.7 seconds in the U.S., totaling roughly 1.2 million residential burglaries annually (FBI UCR).
- 34% of burglars enter through the front door — the most common single point of entry (Bureau of Justice Statistics).
- 60% of convicted burglars avoid homes with visible security systems, per a University of North Carolina criminology study.
- The average financial loss per burglary is $2,661 (FBI UCR).
- Security systems can cut homeowners insurance premiums by 5–20%, partially or fully offsetting monitoring costs (Insurance Information Institute).
Burglary Rates and Trends: The Big Picture
Residential Burglaries Have Declined Long-Term — But the Risk Remains Real
Between 2010 and 2022, reported burglary incidents dropped by approximately 56%, reflecting both improved security technology and changes in policing strategies. However, the FBI’s most recent Crime in the Nation report estimates roughly 1.2 million burglaries occur in the U.S. each year, with approximately 62% targeting residential properties.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey consistently estimates that only about 50% of burglaries are reported to police, suggesting the real number may be closer to 2.4 million annually. The post-pandemic period (2021–2024) introduced renewed volatility, with certain regions seeing year-over-year increases of 8–15% in property crime between 2022 and 2023 (Council on Criminal Justice).
Burglary Rates by Region and Home Type
| Region / Property Type | Burglary Rate (per 100k) | % of All Residential Burglaries | Avg. Loss per Incident |
|---|---|---|---|
| South (overall) | 420 | 44% | $2,810 |
| Midwest (overall) | 280 | 22% | $2,540 |
| West (overall) | 310 | 22% | $2,950 |
| Northeast (overall) | 195 | 12% | $2,440 |
| Single-family detached home | 370 | 67% | $2,780 |
| Apartment / condo unit | 210 | 24% | $2,100 |
| Townhouse / attached home | 185 | 9% | $2,350 |
For a practical response to these regional risks, our home security tips checklist walks through room-by-room hardening measures tailored to different property types.
When and Where Break-Ins Happen
34% of Burglars Walk Right Through the Front Door
Bureau of Justice Statistics analysis shows the front door is the most common point of entry, accounting for approximately 34% of all break-ins. Ground-floor windows follow at roughly 23%, first-floor back doors at 22%, garage doors at 9%, and unlocked doors or windows at a surprising 9% — meaning nearly 1 in 10 residential burglaries involve no forced entry whatsoever.
Most Burglaries Happen Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Contrary to popular belief, residential burglaries do not predominantly occur at night. FBI UCR data shows the peak window for home break-ins is between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekdays — while most residents are at work or school. Approximately 65% of all residential burglaries occur during daylight hours. The BJS reports that roughly 28% of burglary victims are home during the incident, and 7% of those experience some form of violence or threat.
Security System Deterrence: What the Data Actually Shows
60% of Burglars Would Avoid a Home With a Visible Security System
A landmark study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte surveyed 422 convicted burglars: 60% said the presence of a visible security system would cause them to abandon a target entirely. ADT’s commissioned research (2022) found that 83% of surveyed burglars “cased” potential targets for security indicators before acting. Alarm yard signs and visible outdoor cameras were the two most effective passive deterrents.
If you’re cost-sensitive, our guide to home security systems without monthly fees covers self-monitored options that still provide visible deterrence.
Homes Without Security Systems Are 300% More Likely to Be Burglarized
The University of North Carolina study found that unprotected homes were approximately three times more likely to be selected as targets. A separate analysis by the Electronic Security Association (ESA) estimates that professionally monitored alarm systems reduce the probability of successful burglary completion by approximately 46%.
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Outdoor Cameras and Smart Home Technology
Outdoor Security Cameras Reduce Burglary Risk by Up to 50%
A 2021 study published in the Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice examined 400 matched residential properties and found that homes with visible outdoor cameras experienced burglary rates 50% lower than comparable unprotected homes over a 24-month period. The same research noted a “diffusion of benefits” effect: properties within 250 meters of a camera-equipped home also saw reduced burglary rates.
Explore our curated list of the best outdoor security cameras for top-rated wireless options. View on Amazon
Smart Home Adoption Is Growing
According to Statista and Parks Associates research, approximately 40% of U.S. households now have at least one smart home security device as of 2025 — up from just 14% in 2018. Porch package theft affects an estimated 49 million Americans annually (Security.org 2024 Report), and 72% of package theft victims say a visible doorbell camera caused delivery thieves to abandon an attempt.
The Financial Cost of Home Break-Ins
The Average Burglary Costs Homeowners $2,661 — But That’s Just the Start
FBI UCR data puts the average property loss per residential burglary at $2,661. But this doesn’t account for:
- Property damage and repair: Forced entry repairs typically add $500–$2,000 to the total incident cost.
- Insurance deductibles: The average homeowners insurance deductible is $1,000–$2,500.
- Identity theft: The Identity Theft Resource Center estimates 12% of burglary victims subsequently experience identity fraud from stolen documents.
- Psychological costs: A University of Exeter study found 65% of residential burglary victims report elevated anxiety lasting more than 6 months.
When total costs are aggregated, the true per-incident cost is estimated at $8,000–$12,000 by the National Institute of Justice. View on Amazon
Insurance Savings: How Security Systems Affect Your Premium
Security Systems Can Cut Homeowners Insurance Premiums by 5–20%
The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that professionally monitored security systems typically qualify homeowners for discounts of 5–20% on their homeowners insurance premium. The average annual homeowners insurance premium in the U.S. was $1,428 in 2024 (NAIC), meaning a 15% security discount translates to roughly $214/year in savings.
A professionally monitored security system from providers like SimpliSafe, Ring, or Frontpoint typically costs $120–$360/year in monitoring fees. At a 15% insurance discount, the monitoring cost is partially or fully offset before accounting for any theft-prevention benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of homes get burglarized each year in the U.S.?
Based on FBI UCR data and BJS victimization survey estimates, approximately 1–2% of U.S. households experience a burglary in any given year. With roughly 143 million housing units in the U.S., that represents between 1.2 and 2.4 million incidents annually.
Do most burglars break in when no one is home?
Yes — approximately 72% of residential burglaries occur when no one is home, according to BJS data. Burglars strongly prefer unoccupied homes to minimize the risk of confrontation. This is why the peak burglary window (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays) aligns with typical work and school hours.
Are security cameras or alarm systems a better deterrent?
Both provide meaningful deterrence and work best in combination. The University of North Carolina burglar survey found alarm system signage to be the single most effective passive deterrent, while Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice research identified visible cameras as reducing burglary rates by up to 50%. ADT’s research found both elements together produced the strongest deterrent effect.
What is the most common item stolen in a home burglary?
According to FBI UCR supplemental theft data, electronics are the most commonly stolen category (laptops, gaming consoles, smartphones), followed by jewelry and watches, cash and financial instruments, and tools or sporting equipment. The average electronics theft loss per incident is approximately $1,340; jewelry losses average $1,680 per incident.
Conclusion: What the Data Tells Homeowners to Do
The data is clear: even basic deterrence — a visible camera, an alarm company sign, a reinforced front door — meaningfully reduces your probability of being targeted. Start with our home security tips checklist for a prioritized, budget-conscious approach to hardening your home.
Sources
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program: https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s
- Bureau of Justice Statistics — National Crime Victimization Survey: https://bjs.ojp.gov/programs/ncvs
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte Burglar Survey Study: https://popcenter.asu.edu
- Insurance Information Institute (III): https://www.iii.org/article/reducing-your-homeowners-premium
- Electronic Security Association (ESA): https://www.esaweb.org
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): https://www.naic.org
- Security.org — 2024 Package Theft in America Report: https://www.security.org/home-security/package-theft-statistics/
- Council on Criminal Justice: https://counciloncj.org
- Parks Associates Smart Home Security Adoption Survey 2025: https://www.parksassociates.com