| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Needles/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 157 | n/a (estimate) | 3,278 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 20.9 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 7 | n/a | 146.1 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 104.4 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 31 | n/a | 647.2 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 44 | n/a (estimate) | 919 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 30 | n/a | 626.3 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 54 | n/a | 1,127.3 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 29 | n/a | 605.4 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 113 | n/a (estimate) | 2,359 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
The Needles crime rates are 54.7% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 44 violent crimes in Needles (919 per 100,000 people), which is 155.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 113 property crimes (2359 per 100,000 residents) which is 34% higher than average.
With a violent crime rate of 919 crimes per 100,000 residents, Needles is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Needles ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 109 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Needles stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Needles, a total of 1 murders were reported, equating to 21 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Needles ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 29 vehicle thefts, amounting to 605 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Needles within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 166.
What do the local residents think about crime in Needles? Well, based on a recent survey of 32 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 69% of Needles residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 31% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Needles is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Needles has an overall crime rate that is 55% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.43 daily occurrences, comprising 0.12 violent crimes and 0.31 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Needles as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime rates in Needles has decreased by 16.5% 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 decreased by 45%, while property crime has decreased by 4.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Needles.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Needles crime rates. Needles registers a population density of 165.5 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Needles has a median home price of $194,782, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Needles, the average rental rates are $927 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Needles | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | n/a | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Mohave Valley, AZ | 2,877 | 173 | 736 | 909 |
| Golden Shores, AZ | 1,333 | 186 | 790 | 976 |
| Fort Mohave, AZ | 16,571 | 392 | 1,663 | 2,055 |
| Willow Valley, AZ | 709 | 435 | 1,846 | 2,280 |
| Mesquite Creek, AZ | 530 | 460 | 1,953 | 2,413 |
| Needles, CA | 5,100 | 919 | 2,359 | 3,278 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Salem, MO | 5,099 | 190 | 1,689 | 1,879 |
| Richland Center, WI | 5,098 | 228 | 947 | 1,175 |
| Bridgeville, PA | 5,102 | 285 | 832 | 1,117 |
| Centreville, IL | 5,098 | 300 | 1,782 | 2,082 |
| Canutillo, TX | 5,103 | 347 | 1,822 | 2,169 |
| Needles, CA | 5,100 | 919 | 2,359 | 3,278 |
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