City in Whiteside County, Illinois · 5.9 sq mi · 2,406 people per sq mi
About 14,000 people live in Sterling. The typical household earns $57,350, and the median resident is 42.6 years old.
2026 projection
From 14,839 in 2020
Poverty rate 15.32%
Men 40.1 · Women 44.5
1860–2026
14,306
2026 projection
3.6% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1860–2026
14,306
2026 projection
3.6% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 14,306 | -88 | 0.61% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14,394 | -93 | 0.64% |
| 2024 | 14,487 | -24 | 0.17% |
| 2023 | 14,511 | -33 | 0.23% |
| 2022 | 14,544 | -213 | 1.44% |
| 2021 | 14,757 | -82 | 0.55% |
| 2020 | 14,839 | +371 | 2.56% |
| 2019 | 14,468 | -96 | 0.66% |
| 2018 | 14,564 | -154 | 1.05% |
| 2017 | 14,718 | -136 | 0.92% |
Showing 10 of 32 years.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 147 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 7 residents
41% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 41% | 42% | 41% |
| Never married | 37% | 43% | 31% |
| Divorced | 12% | 9% | 15% |
| Widowed | 8% | 4% | 11% |
| Separated | 2% | 1% | 2% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
10 sources, all from the U.S. Census Bureau