A recent national survey commissioned by Tri State Gate reveals a striking paradox for American homeowners. Conducted in August 2026 with 1,000 U.S. adults, the poll found that just 28% of respondents feel genuinely safe inside their own homes, even though federal data shows crime is on the decline.
Crime trends remain favorable
FBI preliminary figures for 2025 indicate property crime fell an estimated 12.4% in a single year, and the national burglary rate is now at its lowest point since federal tracking began. Gallup’s October 2025 crime poll also reported that only 30% of Americans believed crime was rising in their area, a drop of 19 points from the previous year.
Public perception lags behind the data
Despite these improvements, the Tri State Gate survey shows that 72% of Americans do not feel fully safe at home. The most common response, chosen by 64% of participants, was “mostly safe, but I stay alert.” Only a little over a quarter—28%—said they feel genuinely safe.
The single biggest fear cited was a break‑in while the family is home, selected by 30% of respondents. Yet the share of households that actually experienced a break‑in or attempted break‑in in the past two years is under 10%.
Security habits have intensified
More than seven in ten Americans have taken at least one action because of security anxiety. Common steps include leaving lights or the TV on to simulate occupancy (40%), keeping travel plans off social media (38%), and asking a neighbor to watch the property (38%). A smaller portion (15%) stopped having packages delivered to their house, a figure that rises to 22% among higher‑earning households.
Security cameras are now commonplace, with nearly 70% of respondents owning at least one device. However, these cameras have fostered a monitoring habit rather than peace of mind: about one‑third of owners check their feeds multiple times a day, and nearly half check at least daily. Overall, more than four in five Americans with cameras review footage daily or on demand.
Interest in physical protection remains strong
When asked about investing in physical protection, more than half said they would wait for a trigger event—such as a break‑in at their own home (16%), a neighbor’s home (17%), or a visible pattern of local crime (23%)—before making a serious investment. Fewer than one in ten have already taken that step.
Nevertheless, demand for fortified housing is evident. Exactly half of those surveyed would be willing to pay above market for a home in a gated community or with a controlled entrance, and nearly a third would pay at least 6% above the asking price. Parents with children under 18 are especially interested, with over 40% indicating they would pay a premium for such security.
What the data means for homeowners
While federal statistics suggest that the likelihood of a break‑in is at a record low, the lingering sense of vulnerability is prompting many Americans to adopt proactive security measures. The survey’s sponsor, Tri State Gate—a New York‑based provider of automated gate and access control systems—notes that the findings reflect a genuine market interest in gated‑community living, even as most respondents await a concrete incident before committing to major physical protection investments.
Overall, the study underscores a gap between objective crime trends and subjective feelings of safety, highlighting the importance of continued community vigilance and thoughtful security planning.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
