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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Sterling

Illinois · 15,451 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 $37,664. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $70,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.3
US median: 35.2
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,451
+2%since 1990
from 15,132 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,599 / sq mi
+2%since 1990
from 2,545 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.3
+5%since 1990
from 34.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K15K15K16K1990201020202024Sterling
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,664
+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,636 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,432
+51%since 1990
from $12,880 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
10.8%
−1.3 ptssince 1990
from 12.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$70,700
+25%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $42,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$486
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $349 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
62.9%
+1.3 ptssince 1990
from 61.7% in 1990
37.1% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+12%since 1990
from 1.7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

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

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.1%
−1.0 ptssince 1990
from 13.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
78.4%
+4.4 ptssince 1990
from 74.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
3.5%
−0.9 ptssince 1990
from 4.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.8 min
−11%since 1990
from 13.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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

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Pop 15,309
Elfers
Pop 15,006
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Pop 14,755
Milford
Pop 14,723
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Head to head

Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
Rock Falls
Income$49,600+32%
Home value$83,900+19%
Population8,521−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Dixon
Income$59,406+58%
Home value$120,800+71%
Population14,582+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Clinton
Income$60,230+60%
Home value$118,200+67%
Population24,049+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Rochelle
Income$66,307+76%
Home value$164,300+132%
Population9,498−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Illinois?

Sterling, Illinois has about 15,451 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Illinois?

The typical household in Sterling, Illinois earns about $37,664 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 $70,700, and the typical rent is about $486 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Illinois?

About 12.1% 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 10.8% of people in Sterling, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 319 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →