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CITY · 2010 ACS

Sterling Heights

Michigan · 129,699 residents · 36.447 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling Heights is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $58,073. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $173,700.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.4
US median: 37.2
Average education
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
More affordable
home values down 13%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
129,699
+4%since 2000
from 124,471 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,559 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 3,415 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.4
+9%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
116K121K126K131K136K1990201020202024Sterling Heights
2024134K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,073
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,494 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,475
+6%since 2000
from $24,958 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
37.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 38.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
8.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.381
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade20.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Information15%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$173,700
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $157,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$794
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $644 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
53.4%
−25.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.0% in 2000
23.8% rent
Vacancy rate
5.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
30.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.0
+15%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic83.8%(108,750)
Black5.1%(6,638)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(2,523)
Asian6.7%(8,713)
Other1.5%(2,010)
Diversity Score34.7%(44,971)
Diversity Score
35
+90%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
85.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 84.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.5 min
+52%since 2000
from 16.8 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
89.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 88.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
5.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
8.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
35.7%
−30.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
22.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.3%
−39.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sterling Heights to nearby cities

STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Fraser
Income$64,354+11%
Home value$215,900+24%
Population14,496−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Troy
Income$120,045+107%
Home value$420,300+142%
Population88,733−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Warren
Income$64,016+10%
Home value$193,400+11%
Population137,138+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Madison Heights
Income$69,503+20%
Home value$199,100+15%
Population28,297−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

Sterling Heights, Michigan has about 129,699 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sterling Heights, Michigan earns about $58,073 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 $173,700, and the typical rent is about $794 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

About 26.7% 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 8.8% 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 11,889 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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

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