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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sterling

Michigan · 474 residents · 0.977 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 $40,625. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $66,400. The poverty rate of 23.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
474
−11%since 2000
from 533 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
485 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 546 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.8
+2%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4174825476126771990201020202024Sterling
2024448
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,625
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,583 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,440
+30%since 2000
from $14,181 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
13.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.9%
+14.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.3%
US avg: 10%
Information14.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$66,400
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$713
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $444 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.3%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 83.2% in 2000
20.7% rent
Afford Score
1.6
−5%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(516)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.8%(15)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.8%(440)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(3)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other3.4%(16)
Diversity Score10.9%(52)
Diversity Score
11
+285%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
6.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.3%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 1.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.5 min
+4%since 2000
from 20.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.2%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 15.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2011
from 54.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
14.2%
−36.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.5%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Female
54.5%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.6%
−66.5 ptssince 2013
from 74.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sterling

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Pop 427
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Pop 427
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Hickox
Pop 520
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Head to head

Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
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Income$73,325+80%
Home value$203,900+207%
Population42,806+9391%
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STERLING VS
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Income$49,420+22%
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STERLING VS
Saginaw
Income$38,579−5%
Home value$60,000−10%
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STERLING VS
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Income$44,706+10%
Home value$173,100+161%
Population20,925+4540%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Michigan?

Sterling, Michigan has about 474 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Michigan?

The typical household in Sterling, Michigan earns about $40,625 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, Michigan expensive?

In Sterling, Michigan, the median home is worth about $66,400, and the typical rent is about $713 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Michigan?

About 6.3% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, Michigan?

About 23.9% of people in Sterling, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 39 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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

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