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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Sterling Heights

Michigan · 117,810 residents · 36.447 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling Heights is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $46,470. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value is $96,400. Poverty is rare here, at 3.6% of residents. Households here earn about 50% more than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 32.9
US median: 33.0
Average education
19% 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
117,810
−5%vs 2000
vs 124,471 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,232 / sq mi
−5%vs 2000
vs 3,415 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
32.9
−11%vs 2000
vs 37.0 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
116K121K126K131K136K1990201020202024Sterling Heights
2024134K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,470
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $60,494 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,084
−32%vs 2000
vs $24,958 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
3.6%
−1.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 5.2% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,400
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $157,800 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$533
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $644 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
77.5%
−1.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 79.0% in 2000
22.5% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−20%vs 2000
vs 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling Heights on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.8%(111,743)
Black1.3%(1,602)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(1,665)
Asian4.9%(6,100)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.2%(22,685)
1990
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(113,679)
Black0.4%(429)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(984)
Asian2.7%(3,129)
Other0.5%(573)
Diversity Score10.4%(12,291)
Diversity Score
10
−43%vs 2000
vs 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.5%
−4.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 23.0% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
80.7%
−3.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 84.0% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
5.8%
−1.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 7.2% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+27%vs 2000
vs 16.8 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 Heights

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Pop 119,767
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South Fulton
Pop 112,820
Places similar to Sterling Heights
Head to head

Compare Sterling Heights to nearby cities

STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Fraser
Income$64,354+38%
Home value$215,900+124%
Population14,496−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Troy
Income$120,045+158%
Home value$420,300+336%
Population88,733−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Warren
Income$64,016+38%
Home value$193,400+101%
Population137,138+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Madison Heights
Income$69,503+50%
Home value$199,100+107%
Population28,297−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

Sterling Heights, Michigan has about 117,810 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

The typical household in Sterling Heights, Michigan earns about $46,470 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling Heights, Michigan expensive?

In Sterling Heights, Michigan, the median home is worth about $96,400, and the typical rent is about $533 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

About 18.5% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling Heights, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

About 3.6% of people in Sterling Heights, Michigan 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 →