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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Sterling

Kansas · 2,106 residents · 1.865 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 $21,008. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 536 residents. Median home value is $31,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 34.2
US median: 33.0
Average education
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,106
−20%vs 2000
vs 2,642 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,129 / sq mi
−20%vs 2000
vs 1,417 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
34.2
+47%vs 2000
vs 23.2 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Sterling
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$21,008
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $35,282 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$9,397
−29%vs 2000
vs $13,229 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
13.1%
+1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.9% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$31,100
−30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $58,300 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$251
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $248 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
70.2%
−3.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 73.3% in 2000
29.8% rent
Afford Score
1.5
−10%vs 2000
vs 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.5%(2,496)
Black1.5%(40)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(46)
Asian0.7%(18)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.7%(257)
1990
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(2,031)
Black1.5%(32)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(9)
Asian0.1%(3)
Other1.9%(40)
Diversity Score9.7%(203)
Diversity Score
10
−1%vs 2000
vs 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.4%
−4.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 24.9% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
85.3%
−2.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 87.5% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
7.6%
−1.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 9.0% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+24%vs 2000
vs 15.2 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

Pine Air
Pop 2,258
Chiefland
Pop 2,456
Blountstown
Pop 2,272
Long Neck
Pop 2,161
Places similar to Sterling
Head to head

Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
Hutchinson
Income$58,687+179%
Home value$125,000+302%
Population39,595+1619%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
McPherson
Income$77,529+269%
Home value$211,700+581%
Population13,918+504%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Great Bend
Income$54,139+158%
Home value$133,900+331%
Population14,266+519%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Newton
Income$68,885+228%
Home value$156,400+403%
Population18,353+697%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Kansas?

Sterling, Kansas has about 2,106 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Kansas?

The typical household in Sterling, Kansas earns about $21,008 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, Kansas expensive?

In Sterling, Kansas, the median home is worth about $31,100, and the typical rent is about $251 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Kansas?

About 20.4% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, Kansas?

About 13.1% of people in Sterling, Kansas 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 →