Crime in Needles, California

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In Needles, however, property crimes account for only about 71% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a smaller than average share of total offenses, property crime is more prevalent in Needles than it is nationwide. There were 174 property crimes in Needles in 2019, or 3,479 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Needles. There were 97 larcenies reported in Needles in 2019, or 1,940 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 66 break-ins reported in Needles in 2019, or 1,320 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In Needles, meanwhile, there were 11 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 220 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In Needles, however, violent offenses account for a larger 29% share of all reported crime.

At 1,420 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Needles is well above the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Needles reported a total of 71 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in Needles. There were 60 aggravated assaults reported in Needles in 2019, or 1,200 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is far lower, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 6 robberies reported in Needles in 2019, a rate of 120 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 4 rapes reported in Needles in 2019, or 80 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There was one homicide reported in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Needles is 20.0 for every 100,000 people, four times higher than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.