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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sterling Heights

Michigan · 134,346 residents · 36.447 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling Heights has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $66,346. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $198,300.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.2
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 16%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
134,346
+8%since 2000
from 124,471 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,686 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 3,415 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.2
+14%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
116K121K126K131K136K1990201020202024Sterling Heights
2024134K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,346
−27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,494 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,335
+26%since 2000
from $24,958 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.3%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 38.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.7%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.1%
US avg: 10%
Information14.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$198,300
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $157,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,051
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $644 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.5%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 79.0% in 2000
26.5% rent
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic79%(106,149)
Black6.5%(8,709)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(3,275)
Asian8.1%(10,935)
Other2.5%(3,409)
Diversity Score43.2%(58,032)
Diversity Score
43
+137%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.0%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.4%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 84.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.4 min
+58%since 2000
from 16.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.1%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 88.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−6.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.8%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 64.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.2%
−28.2 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
27.3%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.7%
−81.0 ptssince 2013
from 87.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sterling Heights to nearby cities

STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Fraser
Income$64,354−3%
Home value$215,900+9%
Population14,496−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Troy
Income$120,045+81%
Home value$420,300+112%
Population88,733−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Warren
Income$64,016−4%
Home value$193,400−2%
Population137,138+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING HEIGHTS VS
Madison Heights
Income$69,503+5%
Home value$199,100same
Population28,297−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

Sterling Heights, Michigan has about 134,346 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sterling Heights, Michigan earns about $66,346 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 $198,300, and the typical rent is about $1,051 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

About 30.0% 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 9.7% 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 16,536 residents, a change of about 14 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 →