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How many American homes have an active security alarm? How many have an active IP-based security camera?
Hello! Thanks for your question about the number of American homes with active security alarms and the proportion of these that use an IP-based camera. The short version is that there are a minimum of 18 million households in the US with active security systems, and between 7.18 and 9.22 million households with at least one active IP-based security camera. Below you will find a deep dive of my findings
BACKGROUND
Across the home the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionised the way in which we manage devices in the homes, allowing remote management like never before. Nowhere is this more evident than in home security. IP-based security cameras are a rapidly increasing their presence in American homes, both those with existing security systems and as standalone products. With the research below I have aimed to outline their current market position and their likely future growth.
METHODOLOGY
In my research I have drawn significantly on studies done on this topic by Parks Associates, a leading market intelligence organisation on the Internet of Things (IoT). While statistics concerning total numbers of active security alarms in the US are difficult to come by, I have used calculations to show with a high degree of certainty an estimated minimum number of alarm systems. I have divided my research into three sections: the number of homes with security alarm systems, the number of homes with IP-based security cameras, and finally a short analysis of the growth trends in IP-based security cameras.
AMERICAN HOMES WITH ACTIVE SECURITY ALARMS
Statistics from 2010 through to 2015 estimate around 18 million households in the US with a home security system installed, representing around 50% of the total number of security systems and frequently cited at around 15% of all US households. This figure can be corroborated against 2015 household population data: 18 million systems/124.59 million households gives 14.5%. It is likely that this figure is actually slightly higher in 2017, given the growth in the security market in recent years.
NUMBER OF HOMES WITH AN ACTIVE IP-BASED SECURITY CAMERA
The most recent research published by Parks Associates, in April 2016, found that 7-9% of US broadband households owned an IP/networked security camera at the end of 2015, with 44% of these owners accessing their device remotely on a daily or almost daily basis.
In 2015, it is estimated that 102.52 million households in the US had wired internet access, thus providing a total number of 'broadband households'. From this it is possible to estimate the number of households with at least one IP/networked security camera between 7.18 and 9.22 million (7-9% of 102.52 million).
Parks also found that 32% of all US households with security systems also possessed an IP-based camera, either integrated into the system or as an addition. Although at first glance these numbers do not add up (even at the lower bound of 7.18 million represents 39% of the 18 million total) this is likely the result of another key factor: the growing tendency for consumers to purchase IP-based cameras as standalone products. In 2015, one-third of all IP-based camera purchases were bought for this purpose, with this choice for home security likely to increase in popularity in the future.
GROWTH TRENDS FOR IP/NETWORKED SECURITY CAMERAS
In their report on the top ten trends for 2017, Parks Associates identify the security market as the leading channel for home products and systems. They describe how among U.S. broadband households with a home security system, 'the ability to protect one's home while travelling' is the top driver for security purchases, with nearly 40% of home security households claiming this feature as the key driver for ownership.
This number is likely to rise as consumers turn more and more to internet of things (IoT) devices to manage their homes. Between Q4 2014 and Q4 2016 the proportion of US homes owning smart devices doubled. The number of technical problems experienced by 'smart' monitoring/security cameras also dropped significantly between Q3 2014 and Q1 2016, making continued growth in this market more likely.
To wrap it up, there are a minimum of 18 million households in the US with active security systems, and between 7.18 and 9.22 million households with at least one active IP-based security camera, with this number likely to grow significantly in line with the rapid expansion of consumer demand for smart home devices. Thanks for using Wonder! Please let us know if we can help with anything else!