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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2010 ACS

Sterling Micro

Sterling, IL · 1 counties · 58,498 residents · 684.099 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $45,266. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $98,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 37.2
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
58,498
−4%since 2000
from 60,653 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
86 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 89 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.8
+9%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
54K56K58K60K61K1990201020202024Sterling
202455K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,266
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,354 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,405
+21%since 2000
from $19,296 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
24.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 23.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
11.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.411
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.8%
US avg: 10.9%
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,100
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$600
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $463 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
46.3%
−28.1 ptssince 2000
from 74.5% in 2000
25.5% rent
Vacancy rate
8.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
19.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.1%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.2
+16%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(53,946)
Black1%(577)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(5,347)
Asian0.4%(247)
Other0%
Diversity Score23.3%(14,158)
2010
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(50,263)
Black1.2%(705)
Hispanic / Latino11%(6,455)
Asian0.5%(269)
Other1.2%(708)
Diversity Score30.8%(18,041)
Diversity Score
31
+32%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.1%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
85.5%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 79.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.6 min
+51%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
26.7%
−32.2 ptssince 2009
from 59.0% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.7%
−37.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
In this metro

Principal cities

SterlingCENTRAL14,394
What's inside

1 component county

Whiteside CountyCENTRAL54,121
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Sterling

Fairmont
Pop 55,584
Kerrville
Pop 54,037
Gloversville
Pop 52,216
Enterprise
Pop 56,953
Places similar to Sterling
Head to head

Compare Sterling side by side

STERLING VS
Fairmont
Income$67,370+49%
Home value$166,700+70%
Population55,584+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Kerrville
Income$69,395+53%
Home value$321,200+227%
Population54,037same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Gloversville
Income$66,533+47%
Home value$163,100+66%
Population52,216−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Enterprise
Income$68,353+51%
Home value$188,600+92%
Population56,953+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, IL?

Sterling, IL has about 58,498 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, IL?

The typical household in Sterling, IL earns about $45,266 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, IL expensive?

In Sterling, IL, the median home is worth about $98,100, and the typical rent is about $600 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, IL?

About 16.1% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, IL hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, IL?

About 11.2% of people in Sterling, IL live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling, IL grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling, IL has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,688 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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