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CITY · 2010 ACS

Needles

California · 4,844 residents · 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 $31,226. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $146,300. The poverty rate of 26.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 49% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 39.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 77%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,844
Unchangedsince 2000
from 4,830 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
158 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 158 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
39.3
+1%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K5K1990201020202024Needles
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,226
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,108 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,242
+34%since 2000
from $15,156 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
22.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
26.1%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 26.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.487
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Finance & insurance16.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical15.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade10.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Information9.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services8.3%
US avg: 7%
Retail trade4.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$146,300
+77%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$709
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $463 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
27.5%
−29.4 ptssince 2000
from 56.9% in 2000
47.1% rent
Vacancy rate
33.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
31.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.5%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.7
+87%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic65.4%(3,169)
Black1.9%(90)
Hispanic / Latino22.4%(1,083)
Asian0.7%(34)
Other10.1%(490)
Diversity Score64.5%(3,124)
Diversity Score
64
+39%since 2000
from 46 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
78.0%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
2.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.2 min
+64%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
83.5%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
4.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
9.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
18.2%
−34.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Female
48.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.5%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Needles, California?

Needles, California has about 4,844 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Needles, California?

The typical household in Needles, California earns about $31,226 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 $146,300, and the typical rent is about $709 a month.

How educated are people in Needles, California?

About 8.1% 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 26.1% 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 347 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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