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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sterling

Colorado · 13,735 residents · 7.619 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,956. Population has grown 21% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $141,100. Households here earn about 46% less than the Colorado median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
13,735
+21%since 2000
from 11,360 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,803 / sq mi
+21%since 2000
from 1,491 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.3
+7%since 2000
from 35.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K11K13K14K15K1990201020202024Sterling
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,956
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,337 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,930
+50%since 2000
from $15,287 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance8.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Retail trade2.2%
US avg: 10%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing1.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$141,100
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$814
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $452 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.3%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 63.5% in 2000
43.7% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+24%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.3%(9,463)
Black0.7%(83)
Hispanic / Latino14.2%(1,613)
Asian0.4%(43)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.2%(3,771)
2020
White, non-Hispanic69%(9,471)
Black5.3%(733)
Hispanic / Latino20.9%(2,866)
Asian0.7%(95)
Other6.6%(906)
Diversity Score62.3%(8,559)
Diversity Score
62
+88%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.8%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.6%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.5 min
+39%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 74.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
24.3%
−28.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
56.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
Female
43.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.7%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.4%
−67.2 ptssince 2013
from 77.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
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Income$64,158+57%
Home value$313,400+122%
Population11,841−9%
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STERLING VS
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Income$75,563+84%
Home value$351,000+149%
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STERLING VS
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STERLING VS
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Income$75,093+83%
Home value$186,500+32%
Population8,535−35%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Colorado?

Sterling, Colorado has about 13,735 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Colorado?

The typical household in Sterling, Colorado earns about $40,956 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, Colorado expensive?

In Sterling, Colorado, the median home is worth about $141,100, and the typical rent is about $814 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Colorado?

About 18.8% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, Colorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, Colorado?

About 12.4% of people in Sterling, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling, Colorado grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling, Colorado has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,369 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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