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CITY · 2020 ACS

Needles

California · 4,931 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 $33,265. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $108,800. With a median age of 44.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 58% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,931
+2%since 2000
from 4,830 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
161 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 158 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.4
+14%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K5K1990201020202024Needles
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,265
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,108 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,978
+38%since 2000
from $15,156 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
29.3%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 26.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Finance & insurance14.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Professional, scientific, technical11.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food5.1%
US avg: 2%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade3.1%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$108,800
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$623
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $463 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.1%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 56.9% in 2000
48.9% rent
Afford Score
3.3
+31%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic58.6%(2,890)
Black2.4%(116)
Hispanic / Latino25.5%(1,255)
Asian1.2%(57)
Other10.8%(534)
Diversity Score70.7%(3,486)
Diversity Score
71
+52%since 2000
from 46 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.1%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.5%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
+10%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.1%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.4%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 14.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
42.0%
−10.4 ptssince 2011
from 52.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.1%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Female
49.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−74.2 ptssince 2013
from 79.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Needles, California?

Needles, California has about 4,931 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Needles, California?

The typical household in Needles, California earns about $33,265 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 $108,800, and the typical rent is about $623 a month.

How educated are people in Needles, California?

About 12.5% 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 29.3% 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 260 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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

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