Hemet, California

City of Hemet
City Hall
Location of Hemet in Riverside County, California
Hemet
Location in the United States
Hemet
Hemet (the United States)
Coordinates: 33°44′51″N 116°58′19″W / 33.74750°N 116.97194°W / 33.74750; -116.97194
Country United States
State California
CountyRiverside
EstablishedJanuary 20, 1910
Named afterLake Hemet Land Company
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorJaculin "Jackie" Peterson
 • Mayor Pro TemLinda Krupa
 • City CouncilConnie Howard-Clark
Tom Lodge
Joe Males
 • City TreasurerDale Dieleman
Area
 • Total
29.28 sq mi (75.84 km2)
 • Land29.28 sq mi (75.84 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0%
Elevation
1,594 ft (486 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
89,833
 • Rank84th in California
 • Density3,068/sq mi (1,185/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes
92543–92546
Area code951
FIPS code06-33182
GNIS feature IDs1652718, 2410738
Websitewww.hemetca.gov

Hemet is a city in the San Jacinto Valley in Riverside County, California, United States. It covers a total area of 29.3 square miles (76 km2), about half of the valley, which it shares with the neighboring city of San Jacinto. The population was 89,833 at the 2020 census. It borders San Jacinto to the north, East Hemet to the east, Polly Butte and Diamond Valley Lake to the south, and Green Acres to the west.

The founding of Hemet predates the formation of Riverside County. This area was then still part of San Diego County. The formation of Lake Hemet helped the city to grow and stimulated agriculture in the area.

The city is known for being the home of The Ramona Pageant, California's official outdoor play. Started in 1923, the play is one of the longest-running outdoor plays in the United States.

Hemet has been named a Tree City USA for 20 years by the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to the local forest. The city is home to the Hemet Valley Medical Center, a 320-bed general hospital.