F
81%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
404%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
20%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleNeedles/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime205n/a (estimate)4,2012,8432,324
Murder0n/a0.05.76.3
Rape10n/a204.937.440.0
Robbery7n/a143.4123.566.1
Assault74n/a1,516.4332.8268.2
Violent crime91n/a (estimate)1,865500370
Burglary40n/a819.7371.9269.8
Theft60n/a1,229.51,499.31,401.9
Vehicle theft14n/a286.9471.9282.7
Property crime114n/a (estimate)2,3362,3431,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Needles, CA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Needles is 80.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 91 violent crimes reported in Needles, equivalent to 1865 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 404.3%. Additionally, Needles recorded 114 property crimes, amounting to 2336 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 19.5%.

Having a crime rate of 4201 per 100,000 residents, Needles experiences a crime rate that is 80.74% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Needles contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Needles ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1865 per 100,000 people, Needles is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 54 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Needles, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.

During the most recently reported crime year, Needles experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Needles?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Needles. Based on the results of the surveys (31 responses), 68% of people felt that there was very little crime in Needles and felt safe walking alone at night. While 32% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Needles a Safe Place to Live?

Is Needles a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Needles has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 81%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.56 daily incidents, encompassing 0.25 violent crimes and 0.31 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Needles as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Needles Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Needles has increased by 9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Needles is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 13.8%, while property crime has increased by 5.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Needles.

Potential Causes for Crime in Needles

In Needles, 78.2% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

In Needles, the cost of living is 23.23% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Needles, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 0 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

Needles crime map



The Needles crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Needles as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Needles crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Needles crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Needles, CA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Needles crime rates are 81% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Needles are 404% higher than the national average
      • In Needles you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Needles is safer than 4% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Needles has increased by 12%

      Needles, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Needles

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Needles?
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        Daily Crime In Needles (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Needles, CA per 100,000 people. In Needles, the total number of daily crimes is 1.48 times more than the California average and 1.81 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Needles is 3.73 times more than the California average and 5.04 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Needles has a daily crime rate that is 1.00 times less than the California average and 1.20 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Needles (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Needles in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Needles safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Needles being safer than 5% of cities in California and 4% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking California cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Needles. In conclusion, Needles ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Needles

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Needles is 1 in 54
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Needles is 1 in 43
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Needles is 1 in 24
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Needles, California? If you reside in Needles, then there is a 1 in 54 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 43. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 24 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Needles.

        Year Over Year Crime In Needles (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Needles is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Needles has increased by 16%, while the property crime rate in Needles has increased by 8% year over year. The number of total crimes in Needles has increased by 12% year over year.

        Needles police department

        Item Needles California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)n/a51,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a3.63.3

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Golden Shores, AZ1,2822111,0041,214
        Mohave Valley, AZ2,8092141,0211,236
        Fort Mohave, AZ16,0164742,2572,730
        Mesquite Creek, AZ5175372,5603,098
        Willow Valley, AZ6905662,6953,260
        Arizona Village, AZ8226082,8993,507
        Needles, CA4,9591,8652,3364,201

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Perry, OK4,9592871,8732,160
        Buckley, WA4,9602841,1031,387
        Prospect, KY4,96122681703
        Barling, AR4,9574901,2061,696
        West Sayville, NY4,9562148581,072
        Needles, CA4,9591,8652,3364,201
        Source: The Needles, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.