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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sterling

Virginia · 30,337 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 $101,079. Population has held roughly steady since 2019. Median home value is $378,700. Poverty is rare here, at 5.8% of residents. Households here earn about 32% more than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.8
Average education
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
30,337
Unchangedsince 2019
from 30,271 in 2019
1990 – 2024
Population density
5,562 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2019
from 5,550 / sq mi in 2019
US average: 280
Median age
35.6
+3%since 2019
from 34.7 in 2019
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K23K26K30K34K199020202024Sterling
202432K
199020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$101,079
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2019
from $97,647 in 2019
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,612
Unchangedsince 2019
from $37,557 in 2019
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
64.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2019
from 62.6% in 2019
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2019
from 5.1% in 2019
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade11.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information10.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade3.5%
US avg: 10%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$378,700
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2019
from $359,000 in 2019
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,868
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2019
from $1,812 in 2019
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2019
from 72.9% in 2019
28.8% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+2%since 2019
from 3.7 in 2019
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2019
White, non-Hispanic32.5%(9,834)
Black7.9%(2,379)
Hispanic / Latino41.2%(12,472)
Asian15.8%(4,768)
Other2.7%(818)
Diversity Score86.6%(26,222)
2020
White, non-Hispanic29.7%(9,025)
Black6.9%(2,080)
Hispanic / Latino44.5%(13,497)
Asian14.5%(4,414)
Other1.8%(541)
Diversity Score83.8%(25,432)
Diversity Score
84
−3%since 2019
from 87 in 2019
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2019
from 37.3% in 2019
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
79.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2019
from 80.1% in 2019
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2019
from 13.7% in 2019
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.7 min
+2%since 2019
from 27.2 min in 2019
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2019
from 76.5% in 2019
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.7%
Unchangedsince 2019
from 2.7% in 2019
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2019
from 5.1% in 2019
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
77.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2019
from 79.1% in 2019
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2019
from 36.0% in 2019
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2019
from 50.5% in 2019
Female
49.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2019
from 49.5% in 2019
Foreign born
43.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2019
from 41.5% in 2019
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
16.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2019
from 16.8% in 2019
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Pop 33,355
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Head to head

Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
Dranesville
Income$214,688+112%
Home value$744,500+97%
Population11,828−64%
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STERLING VS
Herndon
Income$148,000+46%
Home value$599,100+58%
Population25,506−21%
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STERLING VS
Sugarland Run
Income$166,385+65%
Home value$576,700+52%
Population12,629−61%
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STERLING VS
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Income$167,171+65%
Home value$671,100+77%
Population12,357−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Virginia?

Sterling, Virginia has about 30,337 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Virginia?

The typical household in Sterling, Virginia earns about $101,079 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 $378,700, and the typical rent is about $1,868 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Virginia?

About 35.9% 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 5.8% 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 9,825 residents, a change of about 48 percent over that period.

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

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