Needles, CA Demographics

A map of Needles's Population by Race

Needles, California has an estimated population of 4,872, a slight decrease from the 4,931 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 52.4% White, 35.0% Hispanic, 4.5% Multiracial, 4.0% Native American/Other, 3.2% Black, and 0.9% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Needles, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Needles has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Needles, that probability was 58.3% in 2020 and 59.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Needles is ranked the 669th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Needles was ranked the 667th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Needles's White Population

2,552 residents of Needles, or 52.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Needles is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Needles ranks 793rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needles's White population has declined by an estimated 11.7%. White residents' share of Needles's population has decreased from 58.6% to 52.4%.

Needles is more White than neighboring Arizona Village (40.4% White), and Mojave Ranch Estates (17.4% White). Needles is less White than neighboring Mohave Valley (79.5% White), Willow Valley (94.7% White), and Golden Shores (96.8% White).

Needles's Black Population

158 residents of Needles, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Needles is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Needles ranks 385th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needles's Black population has grown by an estimated 36.2%. Black residents' share of Needles's population has increased from 2.4% to 3.2%.

Needles is more Black than neighboring Arizona Village (1% Black), Mohave Valley (0% Black), Willow Valley (0% Black), Mojave Ranch Estates (0% Black), and Golden Shores (0% Black).

Needles's Asian Population

43 residents of Needles, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Needles is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Needles ranks 1088th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needles's Asian population has declined by an estimated 24.6%. Asian residents' share of Needles's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Needles is more Asian than neighboring Arizona Village (0% Asian), Mohave Valley (0.4% Asian), Willow Valley (0% Asian), Mojave Ranch Estates (0% Asian), and Golden Shores (0% Asian).

Needles's Hispanic Population

1,707 residents of Needles, or 35.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Needles is lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Needles ranks 748th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needles's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 36.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Needles's population has increased from 25.5% to 35.0%.

Needles is more Hispanic than neighboring Arizona Village (28.5% Hispanic), Mohave Valley (16.6% Hispanic), Willow Valley (4.7% Hispanic), Mojave Ranch Estates (10.9% Hispanic), and Golden Shores (0% Hispanic).

Needles's Native American/Other Population

195 residents of Needles, or 4.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Needles is slightly higher than in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Needles ranks 46th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needles's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 50.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Needles's population has decreased from 7.9% to 4.0%.

Needles is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mohave Valley (0.4% Native American/Other), Willow Valley (0.5% Native American/Other), and Golden Shores (1.5% Native American/Other). Needles is less Native American/Other than neighboring Arizona Village (25.7% Native American/Other), and Mojave Ranch Estates (71.7% Native American/Other).

Needles's Multiracial Population

217 residents of Needles, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Needles is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Needles ranks 842nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Needles's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Needles's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.5%.

Needles is more Multiracial than neighboring Mohave Valley (3.1% Multiracial), Willow Valley (0.1% Multiracial), Mojave Ranch Estates (0% Multiracial), and Golden Shores (1.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.