Hemet, California

File:MazeStone.jpg, 2012]]

This had long been the territory of the indigenous Soboba people and Cahuilla tribe prior to Spanish colonization. During the early 19th century, Mission San Luis Rey used the land for cattle ranching. They named the area with the settler name Rancho San Jacinto.

{{See also|List of Riverside County, California, placename etymologies#Hemet}}

Hemet was named by the land development company that founded the town, The Lake Hemet Land Company. The company drew its name from Hemet Valley, now called Garner Valley, located in the San Jacinto Mountains. Initially, the company referred to the area as South San Jacinto, but changed the name to Hemet when the land company filed a plat map on November 11, 1893.{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1890 |title=Hemet Land Co., South San Jacinto, Cal. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64207384/hemet-land-co-ad-for-south-san/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209133514/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64207384/hemet-land-co-ad-for-south-san/ |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=November 29, 2020 |work=The Examiner |publisher=W. R. Hearst |location=San Francisco, CA |page=22 |volume=LI |issue=27}}

File:José_Antonio_Estudillo.jpg, granted in 1842 to Californio politician Don José Antonio Estudillo.]]

Following Mexico gaining independence from Spain, in 1842, settler José Antonio Estudillo received the Rancho San Jacinto Viejo Mexican land grant.{{r|Hemet City}}

In 1848, the United States annexed the California territory after defeating Mexico in the Mexican–American War. In 1887, during the first major Southern California land boom, Anglo-Americans W.F. Whittier and E.L. Mayberry founded the Lake Hemet Water Company, and the Lake Hemet Land Company, for speculative development. They had plans to dam the San Jacinto River to provide irrigation water to the valley.{{Cite news |date=January 23, 1887 |title=Incorporate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64206641/incorporation-of-the-lake-hemet-water/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209134921/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64206641/incorporation-of-the-lake-hemet-water/ |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=November 29, 2020 |work=The Los Angeles Times |publisher=The Times-Mirror Company |location=Los Angeles, California |page=2 |volume=XI |issue=44}} They named the town Hemet in November 1893.

In 1895, they completed Hemet Dam as a private project on the San Jacinto River, creating Lake Hemet and providing a reliable water supply to the San Jacinto Valley. This water system, for irrigation in an arid region, was integral to the valley's development as an agricultural area.{{Cite web |title=History of Hemet |url=https://www.hemetca.gov/120/History-of-Hemet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204211358/https://www.hemetca.gov/120/History-of-Hemet |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |access-date=March 28, 2020 |publisher=City of Hemet}}

By 1894, settlers had established a newspaper, the Hemet News, and "several general stores", the largest being Heffelfinger & Co, which occupied an entire block. Other businesses included "a drug store, an excellent barber shop, two blacksmith shops, harness shop, shoe repairing houses, two real estate offices and two lumber yards." "The most pretentious building" was the two-story Hotel Mayberry, "supplied with all the modern conveniences usually found in first-class hostelries, including stationary water, baths, etc., and a complete electric light system, the power for which is furnished by the company's private plant."{{Cite news |date=November 17, 1894 |title="Hemet: A Glimpse at Its Improvements and News of the Enterprises," Los Angeles Herald, November 17, 1894 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78439656/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404222129/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78439656/los-angeles-herald/ |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |access-date=May 27, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Herald |page=8}} Also noted was the Hemet flour mill, owned by John McCool and built at a cost of $20,000. It was the only such mill in this area, and was housed in a brick building. It could produce 50 barrels of flour per day.

File:Harvard Street 1907.jpg

File:Gibbel Hardware - 1918 Earthquake.jpg]]

File:Downtown Hemet - Harvard St at Florida Ave - Sunrise.jpg

File:Downtown Hemet - Nevins Building - Downtown Deli.jpg

Hemet was incorporated in January 1910. Of 177 residents, 130 voted to incorporate, with 33 against. Those who voted against incorporation were landowners who feared increased taxation. The incorporation helped to serve the growing city, which was outgrowing its current infrastructure.{{Cite news |last=Rokos |first=Brian |date=January 10, 2010 |title=100 years ago today, voters brought forth a new city – Hemet |url=http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_W_hemet11.41dc0a0.html?fw=http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_W_hemet11.41dc0a0.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131053339/http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_W_hemet11.41dc0a0.html?fw=http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_W_hemet11.41dc0a0.html |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |access-date=September 17, 2010 |work=The Press Enterprise}}

With a railroad spur running from Riverside, the city became a trading center for San Jacinto Valley agriculture; commodity crops included citrus, apricots, peaches, olives, and walnuts. The Agricultural District Farmer's Fair of Riverside County began here in 1936 as the Hemet Turkey Show. It was relocated to Perris.

During World War II, the city hosted the Ryan School of Aeronautics, which trained about 6,000 fliers for the Army Air Force between 1940 and 1944. The site of the flight school was redeveloped as Hemet-Ryan Airport. In 1950, Hemet was home to 10,000 people, joining Corona and Riverside as the three largest cities in Riverside County.

Hemet was racially discriminatory. Numerous African Americans migrated to California during and after World War II in the Great Migration from such Deep South states as Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Hemet was a sundown town, prohibiting African Americans from living there or even staying overnight.{{Cite news |last=Jennings |first=Bill |date=December 11, 1992 |title=Left-Hander Finds Many Who Impress |work=The Press-Enterprise |location=Riverside, California |page=B1 |edition=Hemet-San Jacinto |via=NewsBank |quote=It must have bothered a few attending the stellar affair because in those days Hemet was pretty well a sundown town, meaning blacks could work over here during the day but they had better head for Perris or wherever at dusk.}}

In the 1960s, large-scale residential development began, mostly in the form of mobile home parks and retirement communities. Hemet was known as a working-class retirement area. In the 1980s, former ranchland was developed in subdivisions of single-family homes. "Big-box" retail followed the increase in population. After a roughly decade-long lull in development following the major economic downturn of the early 1990s, housing starts in the city skyrocketed in the early 21st century. The area's affordability, its proximity to employment centers such as Corona, Riverside and San Bernardino, and its relatively rural character made it an attractive location for working-class families priced out of other areas of Southern California.

File:Hemet Panorama.jpg

Hemet is in the San Jacinto Valley of western Riverside County, south of San Jacinto. The valley, surrounded by the Santa Rosa Hills and San Jacinto Mountains, is mostly dry land, except for Diamond Valley Lake to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|29.28|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}}, all land.

Hemet is {{convert|80|mi|km}} southeast of Downtown Los Angeles.Wright, Lawrence. "The Apostate." The New Yorker. February 14, 2011. [http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/02/14/110214fa_fact_wright?currentPage=16 16] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509214028/http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/02/14/110214fa_fact_wright?currentPage=16 |date=May 9, 2011 }}. Retrieved on May 10, 2011.

Hemet has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) with mild winters and very hot, very dry summers.

{{Weather box

|location = Hemet, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1917–18, 1997–present)

|single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 90

| Feb record high F = 89

| Mar record high F = 96

| Apr record high F = 100

| May record high F = 109

| Jun record high F = 114

| Jul record high F = 115

| Aug record high F = 116

| Sep record high F = 113

| Oct record high F = 105

| Nov record high F = 99

| Dec record high F = 87

| year record high F = 116

| Jan avg record high F = 81.5

| Feb avg record high F = 81.8

| Mar avg record high F = 87.3

| Apr avg record high F = 93.8

| May avg record high F = 98.5

| Jun avg record high F = 103.8

| Jul avg record high F = 107.7

| Aug avg record high F = 108.6

| Sep avg record high F = 106.1

| Oct avg record high F = 97.9

| Nov avg record high F = 90.0

| Dec avg record high F = 81.1

| year avg record high F = 110.6

| Jan high F = 66.3

| Feb high F = 66.5

| Mar high F = 70.7

| Apr high F = 75.4

| May high F = 80.8

| Jun high F = 89.1

| Jul high F = 95.6

| Aug high F = 96.7

| Sep high F = 92.2

| Oct high F = 82.4

| Nov high F = 73.2

| Dec high F = 65.2

| year high F = 79.5

| Jan mean F = 55.2

| Feb mean F = 56.2

| Mar mean F = 59.0

| Apr mean F = 62.4

| May mean F = 67.6

| Jun mean F = 72.6

| Jul mean F = 80.2

| Aug mean F = 81.1

| Sep mean F = 77.2

| Oct mean F = 68.8

| Nov mean F = 60.9

| Dec mean F = 54.1

| year mean F = 66.3

| Jan low F = 44.2

| Feb low F = 46.0

| Mar low F = 47.3

| Apr low F = 49.5

| May low F = 54.4

| Jun low F = 56.0

| Jul low F = 64.7

| Aug low F = 65.6

| Sep low F = 62.1

| Oct low F = 55.3

| Nov low F = 48.7

| Dec low F = 43.1

| year low F = 53.1

| Jan avg record low F = 30.7

| Feb avg record low F = 31.2

| Mar avg record low F = 34.3

| Apr avg record low F = 36.5

| May avg record low F = 42.4

| Jun avg record low F = 47.0

| Jul avg record low F = 52.3

| Aug avg record low F = 52.6

| Sep avg record low F = 49.0

| Oct avg record low F = 43.5

| Nov avg record low F = 34.8

| Dec avg record low F = 29.7

| year avg record low F = 27.5

| Jan record low F = 23

| Feb record low F = 23

| Mar record low F = 27

| Apr record low F = 28

| May record low F = 38

| Jun record low F = 40

| Jul record low F = 44

| Aug record low F = 46

| Sep record low F = 41

| Oct record low F = 34

| Nov record low F = 23

| Dec record low F = 21

| year record low F = 21

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 2.40

| Feb precipitation inch = 2.80

| Mar precipitation inch = 1.62

| Apr precipitation inch = 0.74

| May precipitation inch = 0.44

| Jun precipitation inch = 0.05

| Jul precipitation inch = 0.19

| Aug precipitation inch = 0.19

| Sep precipitation inch = 0.37

| Oct precipitation inch = 0.51

| Nov precipitation inch = 0.73

| Dec precipitation inch = 1.71

| year precipitation inch = 11.75

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in.

| Jan precipitation days = 5.9

| Feb precipitation days = 6.0

| Mar precipitation days = 4.4

| Apr precipitation days = 3.0

| May precipitation days = 1.9

| Jun precipitation days = 0.3

| Jul precipitation days = 0.8

| Aug precipitation days = 0.8

| Sep precipitation days = 0.9

| Oct precipitation days = 1.7

| Nov precipitation days = 2.8

| Dec precipitation days = 4.5

| year precipitation days =

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgx|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date = May 22, 2022}}

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00043896&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Hemet, CA

|access-date = May 24, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1910= 992

|1920= 1480

|1930= 2235

|1940= 2595

|1950= 3386

|1960= 5416

|1970= 12252

|1980= 22531

|1990= 36094

|2000= 58812

|2010= 78657

|2020= 89833

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321050514/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |access-date=June 4, 2015 |website=Census.gov}}

}}

The 2020 United States census reported that Hemet had a population of 89,833. The population density was {{convert|3,067.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Hemet was 46.0% White, 9.8% African American, 2.0% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 23.1% from other races, and 15.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 45.4% of the population.{{cite web |title=Hemet city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0633182 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 22, 2025}}

The census reported that 98.8% of the population lived in households, 0.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.9% were institutionalized.

There were 33,027 households, out of which 30.6% included children under the age of 18, 40.6% were married-couple households, 7.2% were cohabiting couple households, 33.3% had a female householder with no partner present, and 18.9% had a male householder with no partner present. 28.6% of households were one person, and 18.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.69. There were 21,583 families (65.3% of all households).{{cite web |title=Hemet city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0633182 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 22, 2025}}

The age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% aged 18 to 24, 22.7% aged 25 to 44, 22.6% aged 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 40.3{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males.

There were 35,691 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,218.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 33,027 (92.5%) were occupied. Of these, 58.6% were owner-occupied, and 41.4% were occupied by renters.

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $53,623, and the per capita income was $28,255. About 12.8% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line.{{cite web |title=Hemet city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0633182 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 22, 2025}}

The 2010 United States Census{{Cite web |title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Hemet city |url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0633182 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715035448/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0633182 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2014 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}} reported that Hemet had a population of 78,657. The population density was {{convert|2,824.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Hemet was 53,259 (67.7%) White (51.8% Non-Hispanic White),{{Cite web |title=Hemet (city) QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0633182.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826021620/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0633182.html |archive-date=August 26, 2012}} 5,049 (6.4%) African American, 1,223 (1.6%) Native American, 2,352 (3.0%) Asian, 284 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 12,371 (15.7%) from other races, and 4,119 (5.2%) from two or more races. There were 28,150 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (35.8%).

The census reported that 78,043 people (99.2% of the population) lived in households, 155 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 459 (0.6%) were institutionalized.

There were 30,092 households, out of which 9,700 (32.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,174 (43.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 4,349 (14.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,623 (5.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2,002 (6.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 208 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 9,119 households (30.3%) were made up of individuals, and 5,754 (19.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59. There were 19,146 families (63.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.24.

There were 20,340 people (25.9%) under the age of 18, 6,814 people (8.7%) aged 18 to 24, 17,323 people (22.0%) aged 25 to 44, 16,776 people (21.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 17,404 people (22.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.

There were 35,305 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,267.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 18,580 (61.7%) were owner-occupied, and 11,512 (38.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 5.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 17.5%. 45,459 people (57.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 32,584 people (41.4%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009{{ndash}}2013, Hemet had a median household income of $32,774, with 23.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

According to the California Economic Development Department, in 2005 the economy of Hemet was based on four main industries: retail trade, health care, educational services, and government. These industries provide 4,734, 4,441, and 3,946 jobs respectively. Other major industries in the city include leisure and hospitality, financial services, professional and business services, construction, and manufacturing. The amount of wage and salary positions in Hemet is 22,769, with a further 1,479 people being self-employed, adding up to a total of 24,248 jobs in the city.{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=Hemet 2009 Progress Report |url=http://www.rctlma.org/rcd/content/progress_reports/pr_2009/13_Hemet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722183258/http://www.rctlma.org/rcd/content/progress_reports/pr_2009/13_Hemet.pdf |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2010 |website=rctlma}}

Hemet was heavily impacted by the housing crisis which followed the 2008 financial crisis.{{Cite news |last=Semuels |first=Alana |date=January 2, 2018 |title=The Southwest's Suburbs May Never Recover From the Recession |url=https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/01/suburban-poverty-and-recession/549419/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126070725/https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/01/suburban-poverty-and-recession/549419/ |archive-date=January 26, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2018 |work=CityLab |language=en-US}} Rent remains affordable, but the three-hour commute by Metrolink to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles has impeded Hemet's growth as a bedroom community.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Steve |date=December 16, 2017 |title=Her six-hour commute each day seems crazy, but her affordable rent is not |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lopez-commute-cherry-20171216-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126125657/http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lopez-commute-cherry-20171216-story.html |archive-date=January 26, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2018 |website=Los Angeles Times}}

According to the City of Hemet's 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,{{Cite web |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024 |url=https://www.hemetca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11005/Hemet-ACFR-FY-2024_FINAL?bidId=}} the ten largest employers in the city are:

File:HemetStation-2.JPG

The City of Hemet has two museums and an outdoor amphitheater. The Hemet Museum is located at the intersection of State Street and Florida Avenue in downtown. It is a museum of local history, and features photographs of old Hemet, historic photographs from the Ramona Pageant, as well as Cahuilla cultural belongings such as baskets and agriculture displays. Hemet is also home of the Western Science Center, located in the southern part of the city at the intersection of Domenigoni Parkway and Searl Parkway. It features exhibits of Ice Age mammals, including 'Max', the largest mastodon found in the Western United States, and 'Xena', a Columbian mammoth. Along with the two museums, science center and theater, close to Hemet there sits an outdoor amphitheater, the privately owned Ramona Bowl is a natural amphitheater located nearby in the Riverside county foothills. It is known for producing the play, Ramona.{{Cite web |title=Local Attractions |url=http://www.cityofhemet.org/events/attractions.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509133939/http://www.cityofhemet.org/events/attractions.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |website=City of Hemet}}

The city of Hemet is expanding upon its entertainment venues. The three largest venues are the Ramona Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater, a Regal Cinemas and the Historic Hemet Theatre, built in 1921. A development being planned for the area is a downtown transit village, with the center of it being a Metrolink station. It will be north of the downtown core, and will consist of residences, shops, and parks. The station itself could feature a railroad museum, a heritage trail, and a farmer's market and market hall.{{Cite news |last=Atienza |first=Herbert |date=March 18, 2007 |title=Transit village gets early look in Hemet |url=http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_htransform18.bf7a8a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325091957/http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_htransform18.bf7a8a.html |archive-date=March 25, 2007 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |work=The Press Enterprise}}

File:Hemet Theater - panoramio (cropped).jpg

The Historic Hemet Theater was once the oldest continually run single-screen theater in the nation. However, the theater was forced to close down in January 2010 due to water damage from a fire that destroyed adjacent store fronts. The musty smell forced the theater to stay closed for a year, which created financial struggles. {{As of|2011}}, the foundation was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)3 for the purpose of supporting community projects. In July 2013, the Historic Hemet Theater Foundation negotiated a five-year lease/option to purchase the theater. As of 2016, the Foundation had restored{{Cite web |title=History – Historic Hemet Theatre |url=http://www.historichemettheatre.com/history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203042724/http://www.historichemettheatre.com/history/ |archive-date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2016 |website=Historic Hemet Theatre |language=en-US}} the Theater back to operation and was in the process of raising funds in order to purchase and restore the Hemet Historical Treasure.

Scenes for The Fast and the Furious (2001) were filmed on Domenigoni Parkway.{{Cite web |last=Schultz |first=Craig |date=2017-10-03 |title=Here's why Domenigoni Parkway will be closed this weekend |url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2017/10/03/heres-why-domenigoni-parkway-will-be-closed-this-weekend/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606232045/https://www.pressenterprise.com/2017/10/03/heres-why-domenigoni-parkway-will-be-closed-this-weekend/ |archive-date=2024-06-06 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=The Press-Enterprise |language=en-US}} The grandstands and track at the Hemet Stock Farm were a filming location for the movie Seabiscuit (2003).{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Kevin |date=2011-03-28 |title=HEMET: Ex-mayor turns historic horse facility into vegetable patch |url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2011/03/28/hemet-ex-mayor-turns-historic-horse-facility-into-vegetable-patch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606231857/https://www.pressenterprise.com/2011/03/28/hemet-ex-mayor-turns-historic-horse-facility-into-vegetable-patch/ |archive-date=2024-06-06 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=The Press-Enterprise |language=en-US}} The movie Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023) was filmed in San Diego County, but the location setting is in Hemet.{{Cite web |last=Chinnici |first=Clotilde |date=2024-02-24 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea Review |url=https://loudandclearreviews.com/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225234724/https://loudandclearreviews.com/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-review/ |archive-date=2024-02-25 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Loud And Clear Reviews |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Devir |first=Ryan |date=2024-03-27 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea Featured, Reviews Film Threat |url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328073551/https://filmthreat.com/reviews/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |archive-date=2024-03-28 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Film Threat |language=en-US}}

In addition to Diamond Valley Lake, Hemet has six large parks as part of the Valley-Wide Recreation and Parks District, which also includes the cities of San Jacinto and Menifee as well as a number of unincorporated areas.{{Cite web |title=Agency Profile |url=https://www.gorecreation.org/agency-profile-968454e |access-date=June 22, 2024 |publisher=Valley-Wide Recreation and Parks District}}

Brubaker park contains one large children's play area, one half basketball court, eleven baseball/softball fields, fitness trails, two picnic areas, and one portable restroom.{{Cite web |title=Brubaker Park | Hemet, CA - Official Website |url=https://www.hemetca.gov/610/Brubaker-Park}}

The Diamond Valley Lake Community Park opened in September 2009. The {{convert|85|acre|adj=on|abbr=on}} park, part of the eastern recreation area of Diamond Valley Lake, has eight lighted ball fields, three soccer fields, four pickleball courts, four restrooms, and three picnic areas. The park is also adjacent to the Diamond Valley Aquatic Center.{{Cite web |title=Diamond Valley Lake Community Park |url=https://www.gorecreation.org/diamond-valley-lake-community-park |access-date=July 22, 2024 |publisher=Valley-Wide Recreation & Park District}}

Gibbel Park contains a large children's play area, one ball field, a half basketball court, restrooms, two lighted tennis courts, a lawn bowling green, horseshoe pits, picnic areas, and a large turf area for passive uses. The park also features a memorial of military branches of the United States. In October 2023, a skate park was opened. In 2024, pickleball courts were added. It has an area of {{convert|11|acre|m2|sigfig=2}}, and was established in 1970.

Dedicated to Mary Henley, who was born in Hemet and served as Hemet City Clerk from October 1951 to March 1975. The park contains two playground areas, a half basketball court, picnic tables, shade structures, restrooms and a large turf area. There is a marked walking path/sidewalk of {{convert|0.75|mi|km|sigfig=2}} around the perimeter of the park. It has an area of {{convert|16|acre|m2|sigfig=2}}, and was established in 1993. A fitness court was opened in October 2022.{{Cite web |title=Outdoor Fitness Court Launch |url=https://www.hemetca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1026 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223234532/https://www.hemetca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1026 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |access-date=December 23, 2022 |website=Hemet, CA |language=en}}

Dedicated to James Simpson, Hemet City Council from 1947 to 48, and mayor from 1950 to 1966, Simpson Park is a wilderness park located in the Santa Rosa Hills southeast of Hemet with sheltered picnic area and tables, barbecues, restrooms, and hiking trails. At an elevation of {{convert|2500|ft|m|sigfig=2}}, it provides an expansive view of the San Jacinto Valley, as well as the nearby cities and towns of Winchester, Menifee, and Temecula, and it has an area of {{convert|438|acre|km2|sigfig=2}}.

Weston Park was established in 1921 and was dedicated to John B. Weston, who was president of the board of trustees from 1914 to 1920. It contains shuffleboard courts, restrooms, a playground, a basketball court, and a turf area for passive uses and games. It is located in the downtown area west of Santa Fe Street, and has an area of {{convert|4|acre|m2|sigfig=1}}.

The educational services of the majority of the city are under the Hemet Unified School District. It covers most of Hemet, and parts of San Jacinto,{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06065_riverside/DC20SD_C06065.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Riverside County, CA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|pages=2-3 (PDF pp. 3-4/6)|access-date=2024-10-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06065_riverside/DC20SD_C06065_SD2MS.txt Text list] - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st06_ca/place/p0633182_hemet/DC20BLK_P0633182.pdf See Hemet city limits] and Valle Vista, with a student population of over 20,000 students. There are also HUSD member schools in the rural communities of Anza, Idyllwild and Winchester.

As of January 2010, the school district was facing having to possibly go far out of budget to fix the Historic Hemet Elementary school, due to the fact that it was built on top of a swamp and has been sinking deeper every year. The main building was built in 1927, and is one of the few historic landmarks left in Hemet. The other choice would be to demolish the school and build a new one in its place. The State of California will pay for 50% of either project, but the already cash-strapped district may run into trouble if the repairing of the school goes over budget. A new building could cost $20 million, with an extra $3 million to have it built in the original architectural style of the old building.{{Cite news |last=Rokos |first=Brian |date=January 10, 2010 |title=Soil report offers bleak future for historic Hemet Elementary School |url=http://www.pe.com/localnews/hemet/stories/PE_News_Local_W_eschool11.40b81de.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909215849/http://www.pe.com/localnews/hemet/stories/PE_News_Local_W_eschool11.40b81de.html |archive-date=September 9, 2012 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |work=The Press Enterprise}}

A portion of Hemet is in the San Jacinto Unified School District.

Hemet High School, Western Center Academy, West Valley High School and Tahquitz High School in Hemet and Hamilton High School in Anza.

Acacia Middle School, Diamond Valley Middle School, Dartmouth Middle School, Western Center Academy, and Rancho Viejo Middle School.

Bautista Creek Elementary, Cawston Elementary, Fruitvale Elementary, Harmony Elementary, Hemet Elementary, Jacob Wiens Elementary, Little Lake Elementary, McSweeny Elementary, Ramona Elementary, Valle Vista Elementary, Whittier Elementary and Winchester Elementary.

Cottonwood School of Aguanga & Hamilton School of Anza.

Advanced Path Studies School (credit recovery), Alessandro High School – continuation (grades 10–12), Baypoint Preparatory Academy (grades K-12), Family Tree Learning Center (grades K–8), Helen Hunt Jackson School for independent studies, Hemet Academy of Applied Academics and Technology (grades 9–12), Hemecinto Alternative Educational Center (grades 6–9), Western Center Academy (grades 6–12), River Springs Charter School (grades TK-5), and Renaissance Valley Academy (grades 6–12). The school is part of/owned by the Springs Charter School system, but operated elsewhere.{{Cite web |title=Hemet |url=https://springscs.org/programs/hemet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122055431/https://springscs.org/programs/hemet |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=November 22, 2021 |website=Springs Charter Schools |language=en}}

Dwelling Place Learning Academy (DPLA){{Cite web |title=DP Christian School |url=http://www.dplakids.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101101039/http://www.dplakids.com/ |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=February 6, 2019 |website=DP Christian School}} is a Private Christian Academy. DPLA is K–5th grade with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1; their curriculum is based in the Weaver Curriculum (Unit Study). DPLA will add at least one grade a year until the 12th grade to become a K-12 school. DPLA began on August 17, 2015, and was incorporated as a 501(C)(3) in the State of California.

St. Johns Christian School{{Cite web |title=St. John's - St. John's Lutheran Ministries |url=http://www.stjohnshemet.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831234646/http://www.stjohnshemet.org/ |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |access-date=September 27, 2018}} has been a private Christian school since 1983, offering classes for children between 18 months and the 8th grade.

The Hemet News was a newspaper published from about 1894 until 1999.{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1999 |title="Our 2 Cents: Another Old Timer Hits Dust," Chino Champion, July 31, 1999, page 14 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78439698/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404222131/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78439698/chino-champion/ |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |access-date=May 27, 2021 |work=Chino Champion |page=14}}

Hemet and nearby San Jacinto are situated in the Los Angeles designated market area and are able to receive most of the Los Angeles and Riverside/San Bernardino area television stations via cable and satellite providers. Over the air signals with limited reception include KCAL-TV 9 (Independent) Los Angeles; KVCR-TV 24 (PBS) San Bernardino; KFMB-TV 8 (CBS), KUSI 9 (Independent) and KNSD 39 (NBC) from San Diego; two ABC stations KABC 7 L.A. and KESQ-TV 42 from Palm Springs;{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/TV_Directory/NIs9AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Hemet,+California++KESQ-TV+42&dq=Hemet,+California++KESQ-TV+42&printsec=frontcover |title=TV Directory: Television Rates & Factbook |date=1981 |publisher=Television digest |language=en}} KOCE 50 (PBS) and KVEA 52 (Telemundo) from Orange County, California. A local TV station based in Hemet and nearby Perris is KZSW 27 (Independent) of Temecula.

Commercial air service is provided by the Palm Springs International Airport and Ontario International Airport. Hemet-Ryan Airport, which is a municipal airport owned by Riverside County, is located in the city but has no commercial service.

Public transit in Hemet is provided by the RTA, which has stops at various locations including Florida Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, and the Hemet Valley Mall. Routes in the Hemet area include: 28, 31, 44, 74, 79, and also RTA's Dial-a-ride for seniors and the disabled. Along with RTA's newest addition called MicroGo. Covering multiple Locations all over the Hemet, San Jacinto area, replacing the multiple discontinued routes in the valley.{{Cite web |title=Route Schedules |url=http://www.riversidetransit.com/bus_info/schedules_comm.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725133041/http://www.riversidetransit.com/bus_info/schedules_comm.htm |archive-date=July 25, 2010 |website=Riverside Transit Agency}}

Expansion of the Metrolink commuter rail service from Perris to Hemet has been discussed,{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2017 |title=Hemet mobility hub — a bus station and more — will bring economic growth, not trouble, officials say |url=https://www.pe.com/2017/07/29/economic-driver-or-trouble-magnet-transportation-leaders-back-hemet-mobility-hub/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001031437/https://www.pe.com/2017/07/29/economic-driver-or-trouble-magnet-transportation-leaders-back-hemet-mobility-hub/ |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=February 6, 2019 |website=Pe.com}} with stations planned for West Hemet and Downtown Hemet.{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=https://www.cityofhemet.org/DocumentCenter/View/4513 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526011521/http://www.cityofhemet.org/DocumentCenter/View/4513 |archive-date=May 26, 2018 |access-date=October 2, 2018}}{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.cityofhemet.org/DocumentCenter/View/4705 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003013908/http://www.cityofhemet.org/DocumentCenter/View/4705 |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |access-date=October 2, 2018}}{{Cite web |title=Metrolink 20th Anniversary Report |url=https://metrolinktrains.com/globalassets/about/20thanniversery.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204230/https://metrolinktrains.com/globalassets/about/20thanniversery.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

Two California State Highways cross the city. California State Route 74 runs along most of Florida Avenue, the main corridor of east and west transportation in Hemet, and California State Route 79 also follows Florida Avenue for a few miles in the city. Highway 79 is slated for re-alignment when the Mid County Parkway project begins. Streets in Hemet are arranged mostly in a standard grid. Almost all major streets that go east–west are avenues, and almost all streets going north–south are streets. Exceptions are Sanderson Avenue, Lyon Avenue, Palm Avenue and Cawston Avenue. Major streets in Hemet are Florida Avenue, Sanderson Avenue, San Jacinto Street, Stetson Avenue, and State Street.{{Cite web |title=Why is the Mid County Parkway Needed? |url=http://www.midcountyparkway.org/default.asp?link=10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727083026/http://www.midcountyparkway.org/default.asp?link=10 |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |website=Mid County Parkway Project}}

File:Hemet Public Library.jpg

The City of Hemet public library was created in 1906. Members of the Women's Club opened a reading room at the corner of Harvard Street and Florida Avenue.

In 1910, citizens of the newly formed city voted for its own library, and the city took over the operation of the facility built in 1906. Shortly after, the reading room became too small for the growing community, and groups and citizens lobbied for a newer, larger facility to house the growing collection of books. A woman of the community named Mrs. E.A. Davis was the one who wrote to Andrew Carnegie seeking funds to help build a new library. The city received $7,500 to fund part of the construction, and Mr. and Mrs. St. John donated land to the city to build the new Carnegie Library. The new library was finished in 1913, and served the city for 52 years. The building was declared unsafe by the Fire Marshall and razed in 1969, and the new C.B. Covell Memorial Library was built. This building however, also became too small for the city.

The library moved again in 2003, to its current facility, relocated for the first time since 1913. The new facility is now located at 300 E. Latham Avenue, just blocks from its former location. The new building is two stories tall, and contains {{convert|52000|sqft|m2|sigfig=2}}. It was designed by John Loomis of 30th Street Architects at a cost of over $15 million.{{Cite web |title=Library History |url=http://www.cityofhemet.org/library/library_history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203181132/http://www.cityofhemet.org/library/library_history.htm |archive-date=December 3, 2008 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |website=City of Hemet}}{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2009 |title=Performance Audit |url=http://www.cityofhemet.org/library/pdfs/Final%20report%20rev.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925033427/http://cityofhemet.org/library/pdfs/Final%20report%20rev.pdf |archive-date=September 25, 2010 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |website=City of Hemet}}

File:Downtown Hemet - Bank of Hemet Building.jpg|NE Corner of Harvard Street and Florida Avenue

File:Harvard District - Downtown Hemet.jpg|Harvard District - Downtown Hemet in 2014

File:Hemet Theater - panoramio.jpg|Hemet Theater in downtown, built in 1921

File:Looking North on Harvard, Downtown.jpg|Harvard Street, looking north in 2008

File:Downtown Hemet - Harvard St at Florida Ave.jpg|Downtown Hemet, looking north down Harvard Street

• Carl Barks — writer and artist, 1942–1969{{Cite web |title=THEHEMETYEARS |url=http://cbarks.dk/THEHEMETYEARS.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719165143/http://cbarks.dk/THEHEMETYEARS.htm |archive-date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=February 6, 2019 |website=Cbarks.dk}}
• Roland Bautista — guitarist{{Cite web |title=Roland Bautista |url=https://m.facebook.com/rhythmplanetrb/photos/a.819939918132893/819939618132923/?type=3&comment_id=1455673551226190&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/148491235277768/819939618132923 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |website=facebook.com}}{{cbignore}}
• Christopher Campbell{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2015 |title=Chris Campbell: Meet Orrin Hatch's Right-Hand Man |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/chris-campbell-meet-orrin-hatchs-right-hand-man/439599/ |website=The Atlantic}}
• Anthony Claggett — baseball player{{Cite web |title=Anthony Claggett Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/anthony-claggett-488782 |website=MLB.com}}
• Andy Dick — actor and comedian
• Rod Hall — racer{{Cite web |title=Off-Road Racing Legend Rod Hall, 81 - SPEED SPORT |url=https://www.speedsport.com/uncategorized/off-road-racing-legend-rod-hall-81/}}
• John E. King and Homer D. King — father-and-son publishers of the Hemet News between 1912 and 1961
• James Lafferty — actor{{Cite web |last=Fine |first=Audrey |date=April 9, 2006 |title=Getting to know: James Lafferty |url=http://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/interviews/a11476/james-lafferty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206175940/http://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/interviews/a11476/james-lafferty/ |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |access-date=December 12, 2017 |website=Seventeen}}
• Henning Dahl Mikkelsen — cartoonistNews-Press; Publication Date: 27/ Jun/ 1982; Publication Place: Fort Myers, Florida, United States of America; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78439828/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404222123/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78439828/obituary-for-henning-mikkelsen-aged-67/ |date=April 4, 2022 }}
• David Miscavige — Church of Scientology leader{{Cite news |last=Times Staff Writer |date=June 20, 2009 |title=David Miscavige bio, and bios of Scientology officials who defected |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/article1012137.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808022312/http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1012137.ece |archive-date=August 8, 2010 |access-date=October 12, 2010 |work=St. Petersburg Times |publisher=www.tampabay.com}}{{Cite magazine |last=Reitman |first=Janet |author-link=Janet Reitman |date=February 8, 2011 |orig-date=February 23, 2006 |title=Inside Scientology |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/inside-scientology-103288/ |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502021124/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/inside-scientology-20110208 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}{{Cite book |last=Streeter |first=Michael |url=https://archive.org/details/behindcloseddoor0000stre/page/230 |title=Behind Closed Doors |publisher=New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-84537-937-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/behindcloseddoor0000stre/page/230 230]}}
• Bill Murray — actor{{Cite web |title=Bill Murray Divorce Finalized |url=https://people.com/celebrity/bill-murray-divorce-finalized/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020212/https://people.com/celebrity/bill-murray-divorce-finalized/ |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |access-date=February 6, 2019 |website=People.com}}
• Mickey Rooney, Jr. — actor and musicianSanderson, Nancy. {{Cite web |title=Legend's Son at Home in Hemet: Mickey Rooney Jr., in Show Business Since Childhood, Is Also Involved in Ministry |url=http://www.press-enterprise.com/newsarchive/2001/05/22/990505570.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207093927/http://www.press-enterprise.com/newsarchive/2001/05/22/990505570.html |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2008}}. The Press-Enterprise (Hemet, California), May 22, 2001.
• Brendan Steele — professional golfer
• L.E. Timberlake — Los Angeles City Council member, 1945–69Social Security Death Index
• Jennifer York — award-winning Los Angeles traffic reporter and bassist(August 2, 1994) [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-02-ca-22587-story.html "Jennifer York's High-flying Days, Bass-playing Nights"], Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 27, 2024.

Hemet has five sister cities:

• {{flagicon|JPN}} Kushimoto (Japan)
• {{flagicon|MEX}} Bácum (Mexico)
• {{flagicon|DEN}} Ebeltoft (Denmark)
• {{flagicon|JPN}} Marumori (Japan)
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Cootamundra, (Australia)

{{portal|California}}

• Largest cities in Southern California
• List of largest California cities by population
• List of sundown towns in the United States

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage|Hemet}}

• [https://www.hemetca.gov Official website]
• [http://www.hemetmuseum.org/ Hemet Museum]
• [http://www.sanjacintovalley.info/ SanJacintoValley.info] Information for residents and visitors of Hemet and San Jacinto located in San Jacinto Valley, California.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100925104857/http://cityofhemet.org/library/index.htm Official Library website]

{{geographic Location

| North = San Jacinto, California

| Northwest = Lakeview, California

| West = Homeland, California

| Center = Hemet

| South = Diamond Valley Lake

| Southwest = Winchester, California

| Southeast = East Hemet, California

| East = Valle Vista, California

| Northeast = San Bernardino National Forest

}}

{{Cities of Riverside County, California}}

{{Inland Empire}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Riverside County, California

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:Populated places established in 1887

Category:1887 establishments in California

Category:Sundown towns in California