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C-

Is Riverside, California Safe?

Population 323,057 · Safer than 29% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Riverside earns a C- safety grade with 229.7 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 71% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,416 per 100K.

Riverside Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRiversideCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate277.0333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2020.02099.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate198.0--268.2
Theft Rate1416.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate503.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

229.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

277/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

2020/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Riverside

Violent crime in Riverside is below the national average. The rate of 277.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2020.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,416 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Riverside Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault198
074% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery63
0100% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary370
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,416
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft503
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Riverside Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Riverside
277.0
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Riverside
2020.0
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside Safety

Is Riverside safe?
Not especially. Riverside earns a C- with a crime rate of 229.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Riverside?
229.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 277.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2020.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Riverside safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Riverside's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,416 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Riverside?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Riverside generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Riverside police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Riverside?
Crime rates have held steady in Riverside, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Riverside compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Riverside ranks behind about 73% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Riverside to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Riverside?
Bad. A C- grade and 229.7 per-thousand rate put Riverside below 71% of US cities. Violent crime at 277 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Riverside?
277.0 per 100,000, which is 24% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (198), robbery (63), and murder (3.0) 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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