updated 10/26/23
Prayer Podcasts: for the city | for the officials
Location: This city is located near the west side of the Colorado River in the Mohave Valley of the Mojave Desert and near Arizona and Nevada almost 110 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. It is isolated from other cities in the county because of where it is located. Barstow, the nearest city within the county, is separated from Needles by over 140 miles of desert and 2 mountain ranges. The city is accessible via Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 95. It got its name from "The Needles", a group of pinnacles in the Mohave Mountains on the Arizona side of the river. Charles Schulz [Peanuts Cartoon creator and artist] lived in this town when he was young.
Demographics: overall crime grade is F [see below for more information]; estimated population [2023] 4,857; 66% white; 13% Hispanic, 12% Native American, 3% African American, 5% other; M:F 50:50%; 43 average age; 53% own home; 47% rent; average home size is 3 people; 15% <high school grad; 41% high school grad; 27% some college; 17% college degrees; 95% speak English; average income $33K; for families $49K.
Founded in 1883, considered one of the oldest communities on the Colorado River. It began with the railroad on Old Trails Highway which later became the famous Route 66). The Mojave Indians lived in the valley; some still do today but are called the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. After the railroad arrived, Needles got its name from the peaks that looked like needles which came from the perspective of Lt. Amiel Weeks Whipple while doing a government railroad survey in 1854.
Once Route 66 occurred followed by Interstate 40, citizens tried to keep the freeway from missing Needles for many years which helped in its economy. Since then, the town has built some dams along the Colorado River; dredged the Colorado river in the early 1950s which aided in stopping the flooding that occurred each spring. This also helped the land become suitable for agriculture and housing. The water became clear and suitable for recreation. Two new industries came to the valley, agriculture and recreation. Needles has also been the scene of two major military maneuvers, General Patton’s Army during World War II, and Desert Strike maneuvers in the mid- 1960s.
Today the city encourages winter and summer visitors. Places of interest include East Mojave National Scenic Area offers a vast variety of desert scenes and wildlife. The Colorado River has some of the finest boating and fishing possibilities found anywhere. The Needles Municipal Golf Course, which overlooks the river, is a professional 18-hole course with a driving range, golf carts and pro shop. The Topock Gorge and Havasu Wildlife Refuge area can provide hours of enjoyment. It draws tourist because of the warm year-round climate.
“Discover Needles!"
Location of Needles in SBC
Specific Prayer Points
Spiritual: Spirit of repentance fall upon the believers and unbelievers, repent and turn to God and experience transformed lives by the Gospel; healing, deliverance from bondages, intercessors arise and pray for this city, spirit of humility, unity among the people in the churches and with other churches, more people in churches helping and praying, more lives changed by the Gospel, boldness to share their faith, Bible studies for accountability and growth and connection, community outreaches, ways to help the poor among them
Governed by: City Council; District 1 County Supervisor
Schools: Vista Colorado Elementary, Needles Middle & High schools, Educational Training Center, Needles Community Day school, Needles Assembly of God church school K-12, Chemehuevi Valley Elementary
Crime statistics: [2022] A crime occurs every 14 hours 52 minutes (on average); overall crime grade is D-; violent crime is F; property crime is D- and other crime is D-; top crime issues are vandalism 43% [very high]; theft 23% [very high]; burglary 11%; drug crimes 9%; assault 8%
Poverty Rate: 26.6% [high]
Points of interest: East Mojave National Scenic Area, Colorado River, Needles Municipal Golf Course, Topock Gorge and Havasu Wildlife Refuge area
Churches [not exhaustive]
Calvary Church of Needles- Pastor Craig A. Freitag
Needles Seventh-day Adventist Church- James Uyeda, Pastor