Needles city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Needles city, California has a total population of 4,882, the 671st largest city in California, with a median household income of $39,876, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
Needles city Quick Facts
How Needles city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Needles city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Needles city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bret Harte CDP | 4,807 | $42,422 | $289,300 | 1.8% | 44.1% |
| East Porterville CDP | 4,567 | $38,482 | $213,100 | 3.4% | 42.5% |
| Oasis CDP | 4,455 | $36,553 | $35,600 | 1.3% | 37.5% |
| Willits city | 4,945 | $55,971 | $306,800 | 17.4% | 13.7% |
| Kelseyville CDP | 4,204 | $43,475 | $240,500 | 10.2% | 22.4% |
Population Overview
Needles city is a small community located in California. The total population is 4,882. It ranks as the 671st most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Needles city is 49.6 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Needles city is $39,876. This is 59% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 143% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.8%. This is 100% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $134,400. Housing costs are 81% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Needles city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (54.5% vs 34.6%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
9.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Needles city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Needles city, California?
Needles city, California has a population of 4,882 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Needles city, CA?
The median household income in Needles city is $39,876, which is 49% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Needles city, CA?
The poverty rate in Needles city is 29.1%. This means approximately 1,420 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Needles city, California?
Needles city's population is 54.5% White, 3.3% Black, 30.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Needles city, CA?
The median home value in Needles city is $134,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Needles city, California?
9.2% of adults (25+) in Needles city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.