| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Riverside/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 10,955 | n/a (estimate) | 3,422 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 10 | n/a | 3.1 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 173 | n/a | 54.0 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 385 | n/a | 120.3 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,320 | n/a | 412.3 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,888 | n/a (estimate) | 590 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1,268 | n/a | 396.1 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 6,353 | n/a | 1,984.4 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,446 | n/a | 451.7 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 9,067 | n/a (estimate) | 2,832 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Riverside is 61.5% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Riverside, there were 1888 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 590 per 100,000 individuals, 64.2% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 9067 property crimes, amounting to 2832 per 100,000 residents, 60.9% higher than the U.S. average.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Riverside has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Riverside reported 1446 vehicle thefts, which equates to 452 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Riverside is 1 in 222.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Riverside. Based on the results of the surveys (137 responses), 34% of people felt that there was very little crime in Riverside and felt safe walking alone at night. While 66% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Riverside a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Riverside crime rate is 61% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 30.01 crimes per day - 5.17 violent crimes and 24.84 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Riverside crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Riverside has decreased by 4.5% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 26.6% and property crime has decreased by 9.2%.
The Riverside area comprises a diverse array of over 28 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Orangecrest, Canyon Crest and Alessandro Heights which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Downtown, Eastside and Hunter Industrial Park exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Riverside neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
In Riverside, the poverty rate currently stands at 13.2%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Riverside crime rates.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Riverside crime rates. The population density in Riverside is 4114.6 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Riverside, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.66, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Riverside | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 520 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.7 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Coronita, CA | 4,083 | 226 | 965 | 1,191 |
| Romoland, CA | 2,816 | 254 | 1,084 | 1,338 |
| Fontana, CA | 220,412 | 270 | 1,216 | 1,487 |
| El Sobrante, CA | 15,231 | 298 | 1,274 | 1,572 |
| Lake Mathews, CA | 7,544 | 327 | 1,397 | 1,724 |
| Eastvale, CA | 67,681 | 93 | 1,729 | 1,823 |
| Highland, CA | 56,606 | 535 | 1,323 | 1,857 |
| Riverside, CA | 334,324 | 590 | 2,832 | 3,422 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 338,491 | 864 | 3,011 | 3,875 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 329,532 | 262 | 2,274 | 2,536 |
| Santa Ana, CA | 345,160 | 493 | 1,702 | 2,195 |
| Henderson, NV | 320,734 | 272 | 1,715 | 1,987 |
| Stockton, CA | 318,307 | 1,146 | 2,640 | 3,785 |
| Riverside, CA | 334,324 | 590 | 2,832 | 3,422 |
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