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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Sterling

Illinois · 15,132 residents · 5.946 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $25,636. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $42,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 34.6
US median: 33.0
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,132
−2%vs 2000
vs 15,451 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,545 / sq mi
−2%vs 2000
vs 2,599 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
34.6
−5%vs 2000
vs 36.3 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K15K15K16K1990201020202024Sterling
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,636
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $37,664 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,880
−34%vs 2000
vs $19,432 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
12.1%
+1.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 10.8% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$42,800
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $70,700 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$349
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $486 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
61.7%
−1.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 62.9% in 2000
38.3% rent
Afford Score
1.7
−11%vs 2000
vs 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.7%(11,848)
Black2.1%(325)
Hispanic / Latino19.2%(2,973)
Asian0.8%(123)
Other0%
Diversity Score44.9%(6,943)
1990
White, non-Hispanic89.6%(13,551)
Black1.3%(201)
Hispanic / Latino15.4%(2,331)
Asian0.4%(65)
Other8.7%(1,315)
Diversity Score46.8%(7,078)
Diversity Score
47
+4%vs 2000
vs 45 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.0%
+1.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 12.1% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
74.0%
−4.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 78.4% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
4.4%
+0.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 3.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.2 min
+12%vs 2000
vs 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Sterling

Orange City
Pop 15,309
Elfers
Pop 15,006
Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace
Pop 14,755
Milford
Pop 14,723
Places similar to Sterling
Head to head

Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
Rock Falls
Income$49,600+93%
Home value$83,900+96%
Population8,521−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Dixon
Income$59,406+132%
Home value$120,800+182%
Population14,582+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Clinton
Income$60,230+135%
Home value$118,200+176%
Population24,049+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Rochelle
Income$66,307+159%
Home value$164,300+284%
Population9,498−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Illinois?

Sterling, Illinois has about 15,132 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Illinois?

The typical household in Sterling, Illinois earns about $25,636 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, Illinois expensive?

In Sterling, Illinois, the median home is worth about $42,800, and the typical rent is about $349 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Illinois?

About 13.0% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, Illinois?

About 12.1% of people in Sterling, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →