Sterling Flag

Sterling

County Seat:
No
Area (mi²):
5.946
State:
Illinois

Sterling is a city located in Whiteside County, Illinois. Sterling has a 2025 population of 14,287. Sterling is currently declining at a rate of -0.76% annually and its population has decreased by -3.72% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 14,839 in 2020.

The average household income in Sterling is $75,895 with a poverty rate of 16.4%.The median age in Sterling is 42.6 years: 37.6 years for males, and 44.9 years for females.

14.3K
Total Population
2,403
Density (mi²)
-110 -0.76%
Growth

Sterling Population

Sterling Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Demographics

The racial composition of Sterling includes 79.37% White, 3.75% other race, and smaller percentages for Black or African American, Asian, Native American and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population
Percentage (of total)
White11,64379.37%
Two or more races1,96213.37%
Other race5503.75%
Black or African American2431.66%
Asian1931.32%
Native American790.54%

Sterling Marital Status

OverallMalesFemales0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Sterling's average per capita income is $43,218. Household income levels show a median of $52,647. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median
Mean
Married Families$94,647-
Families$70,737$97,083
Households$52,647$75,895
Non Families$29,956$48,263

$43,218

Average Income

$52,647

Median Household Income

16.4%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)