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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Sterling Heights

Michigan · 124,471 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 $60,494. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $157,800. Poverty is rare here, at 5.2% of residents. Households here earn about 35% more than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 37.0
US median: 35.2
Average education
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
124,471
+6%since 1990
from 117,810 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,415 / sq mi
+6%since 1990
from 3,232 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
37.0
+12%since 1990
from 32.9 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
116K121K126K131K136K1990201020202024Sterling Heights
2024134K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,494
−1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $46,470 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,958
+46%since 1990
from $17,084 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
5.2%
+1.7 ptssince 1990
from 3.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$157,800
+24%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $96,400 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$644
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $533 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
79.0%
+1.5 ptssince 1990
from 77.5% in 1990
21.0% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+26%since 1990
from 2.1 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling Heights on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(113,679)
Black0.4%(429)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(984)
Asian2.7%(3,129)
Diversity Score10.4%(12,291)
2000
White, non-Hispanic89.8%(111,743)
Black1.3%(1,602)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(1,665)
Asian4.9%(6,100)
Diversity Score18.2%(22,685)
Diversity Score
18
+75%since 1990
from 10 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.0%
+4.4 ptssince 1990
from 18.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
84.0%
+3.3 ptssince 1990
from 80.7% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+1.5 ptssince 1990
from 5.8% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.8 min
−21%since 1990
from 21.3 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 Heights

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Pop 119,767
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Head to head

Compare Sterling Heights to nearby cities

STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Fraser
Income$64,354+6%
Home value$215,900+37%
Population14,496−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Troy
Income$120,045+98%
Home value$420,300+166%
Population88,733−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Warren
Income$64,016+6%
Home value$193,400+23%
Population137,138+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Madison Heights
Income$69,503+15%
Home value$199,100+26%
Population28,297−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

Sterling Heights, Michigan has about 124,471 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Sterling Heights, Michigan earns about $60,494 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 $157,800, and the typical rent is about $644 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

About 23.0% 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 5.2% of people in Sterling Heights, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling Heights, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling Heights, Michigan has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,661 residents, a change of about 6 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 →