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CITY · 2010 ACS

Sterling

Virginia · 27,822 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 $82,997. Population has grown 36% since 1990. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $349,900. Poverty is rare here, at 5.0% of residents. Households here earn about 35% more than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.6
US median: 37.2
More educated
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,822
+36%since 1990
from 20,512 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Population density
5,101 / sq mi
+36%since 1990
from 3,761 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 261
Median age
33.6
+12%since 1990
from 29.9 in 1990
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K23K26K30K34K199020202024Sterling
202432K
199020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$82,997
−11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $55,593 in 1990
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,899
+70%since 1990
from $20,508 in 1990
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
56.9%
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
5.0%
+3.8 ptssince 1990
from 1.1% in 1990
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.340
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information10.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance6.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food4.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Public administration4.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Retail trade3.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0.2%
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
$349,900
+34%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $156,300 in 1990
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,475
−4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $922 in 1990
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
66.9%
−11.3 ptssince 1990
from 78.1% in 1990
25.6% rent
Vacancy rate
10.3%
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
39.5%
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.7%
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.2
+50%since 1990
from 2.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic88.1%(18,078)
Black5.7%(1,163)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(704)
Asian4.7%(956)
Other1.5%(315)
Diversity Score33.4%(6,861)
2010
White, non-Hispanic41.8%(11,631)
Black7.7%(2,149)
Hispanic / Latino33.2%(9,230)
Asian14%(3,897)
Other1.4%(376)
Diversity Score84.6%(23,545)
Diversity Score
85
+153%since 1990
from 33 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.6%
+4.9 ptssince 1990
from 30.7% in 1990
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
82.7%
−8.0 ptssince 1990
from 90.7% in 1990
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.5%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 7.7% in 1990
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.7 min
+6%since 1990
from 27.2 min in 1990
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.7%
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.7%
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.6%
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.8%
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.0%
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.6%
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.4%
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
40.9%
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
Female
49.6%
Foreign born
35.3%
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.8%
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
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Income$214,688+159%
Home value$744,500+113%
Population11,828−64%
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STERLING VS
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Income$148,000+78%
Home value$599,100+71%
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STERLING VS
Sugarland Run
Income$166,385+100%
Home value$576,700+65%
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STERLING VS
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Income$167,171+101%
Home value$671,100+92%
Population12,357−62%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Virginia?

Sterling, Virginia has about 27,822 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Virginia?

The typical household in Sterling, Virginia earns about $82,997 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 $349,900, and the typical rent is about $1,475 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Virginia?

About 35.6% 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 5.0% 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 7,310 residents, a change of about 36 percent over that period.

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

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