Needles, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Needles, California had a total population of 4,872, the 669th largest city in California, with a median household income of $38,243, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.9% is notably above the national average.
Needles Quick Facts
How Needles Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,882 | 4,872 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $39,876 | $38,243 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $134,400 | $157,200 | +17.0% |
How Needles Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Needles Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Bernardino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 222,724 | $67,415 | 18.6% | $422,300 |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | 9.9% | $586,800 |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | 12.4% | $607,600 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | 8.0% | $740,200 |
| Victorville | 137,627 | $74,410 | 18.4% | $385,600 |
| Rialto | 104,143 | $88,857 | 12.7% | $487,900 |
| Hesperia | 100,775 | $72,160 | 17.0% | $409,000 |
| Chino | 92,652 | $104,682 | 8.0% | $683,400 |
| Upland | 79,257 | $105,830 | 9.3% | $739,400 |
| Chino Hills | 77,927 | $126,334 | 7.6% | $874,900 |
Cities Similar to Needles
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Porterville | 5,066 | $41,061 | $257,700 | 3.3% | 42.7% |
| Bret Harte | 4,757 | $52,500 | $334,700 | 1.7% | 42.5% |
| Oasis | 4,051 | $38,769 | $34,800 | 2.0% | 34.7% |
| Ivanhoe | 4,629 | $52,179 | $228,100 | 12.1% | 17.9% |
| Palermo | 5,266 | $50,588 | $283,000 | 12.2% | 20.2% |
Population Overview
Needles is a small community located in California, within San Bernardino County. The total population is 4,872. It ranks as the 669th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Needles is 49.5 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Needles is $38,243. This is 61% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.7%. This is 148% 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 12.9%. This is 95% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $157,200. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 52.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Needles is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 35.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (52.4% vs 33.8%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
10.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Needles, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Needles, California?
Needles, California has a population of 4,872 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Needles, CA?
The median household income in Needles is $38,243, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Needles, CA?
The poverty rate in Needles is 29.7%. This means approximately 1,446 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Needles, California?
Needles's population is 52.4% White, 3.2% Black, 35.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Needles, CA?
The median home value in Needles is $157,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Needles, California?
10.2% of adults (25+) in Needles hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.