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CITY

Sterling

Virginia · 32,411 residents · 5.454 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $123,303. Population has held roughly steady since 2023. Median home value is $526,000. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 32% more than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

32,411
+4%since 2023
from 31,251 in 2023
1990 – 2024
5,943 / sq mi
+4%since 2023
from 5,730 / sq mi in 2023
US average: 281
35.3
+1%since 2023
from 34.8 in 2023
US average: 38.9
Population, 19902024
19K23K26K30K34K199020202024Sterling
202432K
199020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$123,303
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $125,753 in 2023
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
$46,481
Unchangedsince 2023
from $46,400 in 2023
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
72.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2023
from 73.3% in 2023
US average: 53.3%
8.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2023
from 6.8% in 2023
US average: 12.5%
0.411
+3%since 2023
from 0.397 in 2023
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade13.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Information7.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

$526,000
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2023
from $508,400 in 2023
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
$2,138
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $1,979 in 2023
US average: $1,442
71.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2023
from 75.3% in 2023
28.2% rent
2.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2023
from 3.3% in 2023
US average: 10.0%
28.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2023
from 26.0% in 2023
US average: 22.9%
44.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2023
from 43.2% in 2023
US average: 47.4%
4.3
+6%since 2023
from 4.0 in 2023
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2023
White, non-Hispanic28%(8,739)
Black6.3%(1,956)
Hispanic / Latino49.9%(15,596)
Asian13.5%(4,220)
Other2.4%(740)
Diversity Score81.3%(25,393)
2024
White, non-Hispanic25.7%(8,328)
Black7.2%(2,343)
Hispanic / Latino49.2%(15,942)
Asian15.1%(4,902)
Other2.8%(896)
Diversity Score82.9%(26,868)
83
+2%since 2023
from 81 in 2023
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

35.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2023
from 37.3% in 2023
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
78.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2023
from 79.1% in 2023
US average: 89.6%
11.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2023
from 11.9% in 2023
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

24.2 min
−6%since 2023
from 25.6 min in 2023
US average: 26.5
59.9%
−6.9 ptssince 2023
from 66.8% in 2023
US average: 68.9%
21.7%
+4.6 ptssince 2023
from 17.1% in 2023
US average: 8.5%
1.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2023
from 1.1% in 2023
US average: 3.2%
15.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2023
from 12.9% in 2023
US average: 15.0%
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.7% in 2023
US average: 2.4%
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 0.4%
5.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2023
from 6.1% in 2023
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

3.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2023
from 4.7% in 2023
US average: 5.2%
75.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2023
from 76.0% in 2023
US average: 63.5%
7.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2023
from 8.0% in 2023
US average: 13.1%
39.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2023
from 40.9% in 2023
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

52.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2023
from 51.2% in 2023
47.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2023
from 48.8% in 2023
46.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2023
from 44.2% in 2023
US average: 14.1%
4.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2023
from 5.0% in 2023
US average: 6.2%
7.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2023
from 6.3% in 2023
US average: 13.3%
18.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2023
from 16.3% in 2023
US average: 8.4%
94.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2023
from 93.8% in 2023
US average: 91.0%
36.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2023
from 39.5% in 2023
US average: 77.7%
44.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2023
from 45.3% in 2023
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Virginia?

Sterling, Virginia has about 32,411 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Virginia?

The typical household in Sterling, Virginia earns about $123,303 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, Virginia expensive?

In Sterling, Virginia, the median home is worth about $526,000, and the typical rent is about $2,138 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Virginia?

About 35.4% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, Virginia?

About 8.0% of people in Sterling, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 11,899 residents, a change of about 58 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 →