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D-

Is Desert Hot Springs, California Safe?

Population 34,009 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Desert Hot Springs runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 85% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,963 per 100K.

Desert Hot Springs Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDesert Hot SpringsCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate416.0333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2326.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate307.0--268.2
Theft Rate1963.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate396.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

274.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

416/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2327/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Desert Hot Springs

Violent crime in Desert Hot Springs is close to the national average. The rate of 416.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2326.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,963 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 307 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Desert Hot Springs Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault307
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery90
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary282
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,963
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft396
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Desert Hot Springs Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Desert Hot Springs
416.0
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Desert Hot Springs
2326.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Desert Hot Springs Safety

Is Desert Hot Springs safe?
Not especially. Desert Hot Springs earns a D- with a crime rate of 274.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Desert Hot Springs?
274.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 416.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2326.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Desert Hot Springs safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Desert Hot Springs's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,963 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Desert Hot Springs?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Desert Hot Springs generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Desert Hot Springs police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Desert Hot Springs?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Desert Hot Springs's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Desert Hot Springs compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Desert Hot Springs ranks behind about 91% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Desert Hot Springs to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Desert Hot Springs?
Bad. A D- grade and 274.3 per-thousand rate put Desert Hot Springs below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 416 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Desert Hot Springs?
416.0 per 100,000, which is 14% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (307), robbery (90), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

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View all California city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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