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CITY

Sterling

Nebraska · 481 residents (2025 est.) · 0.407 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $70,313. Population has grown 41% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $130,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
717
+41%since 2000
from 507 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,762 / sq mi
+41%since 2000
from 1,246 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.4
+8%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:481 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3884785686577471990201020202024Sterling
2024717
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,313
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,313 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,928
+96%since 2000
from $16,302 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.0%
+35.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.6%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.362
−7%since 2010
from 0.389 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information19.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade15.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade9.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance7.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services4.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,400
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$830
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $483 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
22.3% rent
Vacancy rate
8.5%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.7%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.0%
−33.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+20%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
82
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(495)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score3%(15)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(701)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(11)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.7%(5)
Diversity Score5.5%(39)
Diversity Score
5
+85%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.8%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.1%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.5%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.0 min
−5%since 2000
from 25.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.7%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 69.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.6%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.9%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.5%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 69.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.1%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.7%
−16.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
Female
46.4%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.0%
−33.0 ptssince 2009
from 38.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.2%
+15.0 ptssince 2012
from 6.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.9%
−80.6 ptssince 2013
from 89.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.4%
+14.1 ptssince 2017
from 70.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 98.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 1.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
Beatrice
Income$57,264−19%
Home value$159,300+22%
Population12,318+2461%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Lincoln
Income$71,867+2%
Home value$264,000+102%
Population301,522+62586%
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STERLING VS
Gretna
Income$123,992+76%
Home value$341,600+162%
Population9,207+1814%
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STERLING VS
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Income$111,679+59%
Home value$311,000+138%
Population25,127+5124%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Nebraska?

Sterling, Nebraska has about 717 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Nebraska?

The typical household in Sterling, Nebraska earns about $70,313 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, Nebraska expensive?

In Sterling, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $130,400, and the typical rent is about $830 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Nebraska?

About 24.8% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, Nebraska?

About 11.6% of people in Sterling, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling, Nebraska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 295 residents, a change of about 70 percent over that period.

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

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