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CITY

Needles

California · 4,821 residents (2025 est.) · 30.578 sq mi
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The short version

Needles has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,243. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $157,200. With a median age of 49.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 61% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 49.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,872
+1%since 2000
from 4,830 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
159 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 158 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
49.5
+27%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,821 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K5K1990201020202024Needles
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,243
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,108 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,068
+92%since 2000
from $15,156 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.2%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
29.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 26.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.545
+12%since 2010
from 0.487 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance13%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical12.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Information8.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction7.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade7.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food5.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$157,200
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$745
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $463 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
52.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 56.9% in 2000
47.9% rent
Vacancy rate
26.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 27.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.4%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+64%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
20
RELATED:See current rent listings in Needles on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic69.5%(3,358)
Black1.5%(71)
Hispanic / Latino18.4%(887)
Asian1.4%(68)
Other0%
Diversity Score46.5%(2,245)
2024
White, non-Hispanic52.4%(2,552)
Black3.2%(158)
Hispanic / Latino35%(1,707)
Asian0.9%(43)
Other8.5%(412)
Diversity Score74.3%(3,621)
Diversity Score
74
+60%since 2000
from 46 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.0%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.9 min
+34%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.1%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.5%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 14.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
42.1%
−10.3 ptssince 2011
from 52.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
25.9%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.3%
−30.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Female
48.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.4%
−44.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
36.4%
+13.7 ptssince 2012
from 22.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.3%
−67.8 ptssince 2013
from 79.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.5%
+22.8 ptssince 2017
from 67.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.0%
−4.1 ptssince 2016
from 92.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.1%
+5.6 ptssince 2016
from 5.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Needles, California?

Needles, California has about 4,872 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Needles, California?

The typical household in Needles, California earns about $38,243 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Needles, California expensive?

In Needles, California, the median home is worth about $157,200, and the typical rent is about $745 a month.

How educated are people in Needles, California?

About 10.2% of adults age 25 and over in Needles, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Needles, California?

About 29.7% of people in Needles, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Needles, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Needles, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 319 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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