Sterling Flag

Sterling

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

Sterling is a city located in Whiteside County, Illinois. Sterling has a 2026 population of 14,384. Sterling is currently declining at a rate of -0.52% annually and its population has decreased by -3.05% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 14,837 in 2020.

The median household income in Sterling is $57,350 with a poverty rate of 15.32%. The median age in Sterling is 42.6 years: 40.1 years for males, and 44.5 years for females. For every 100 females there are 98.8 males.

14.4K
Total Population
2,419
Density (mi²)
-75 -0.52%
Growth

Sterling Population

Sterling Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Year ↓
Population
Growth
Annual Change
202614,384-75-0.52%
202514,459-76-0.52%
202414,53590.06%
202314,526-23-0.16%
202214,549-203-1.38%
202114,752-85-0.57%
202014,837-35-0.24%
201914,468-96-0.66%
201814,564-154-1.05%
201714,718-136-0.92%
201614,854-123-0.82%
201514,977-33-0.22%
201415,010-88-0.58%
201315,098-99-0.65%
201215,197-139-0.91%
201115,336-76-0.49%
201015,412420.27%
200015,4513192.11%
199015,132-1,149-7.06%
198016,2811681.04%
197016,1134252.71%
196015,6882,87122.4%
195012,8171,45412.8%
194011,3631,35113.49%
193010,0121,83022.37%
19208,1827159.58%
19107,4671,15818.35%
19006,3094858.33%
18905,82473714.49%
18805,0871,08927.24%
18703,99800%

Median Age

Overall: 42.6 years
Female: 44.5 years
Male: 40.1 years

Sterling Adults

There are 11,709 adults, (3,219 of whom are seniors) in Sterling.

Sex Ratio

Female: 7,402 (50.3%)
Male: 7,315 (49.7%)

Demographics

The racial composition of Sterling includes 74.78% White, 6.2% other race, and smaller percentages for Black or African American, Asian, Native American and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White11,00674.78%
Two or more races2,18314.83%
Other race9126.2%
Black or African American3482.36%
Asian1871.27%
Native American810.55%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
Two or more races1,60010.87%
White1,4169.62%
Other race8115.51%
Native American790.54%
Black or African American230.16%
Asian160.11%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White9,59065.16%
Two or more races5833.96%
Black or African American3252.21%
Asian1711.16%
Other race1010.69%
Native American20.01%

Sterling Marital Status

Economics and Income Statistics

Sterling 's average per capita income is $44,183. Household income levels show a median of $57,350. The poverty rate stands at 15.32%.

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$96,979-
Families$76,516$97,814
Households$57,350$79,140
Non Families$35,385$49,980

$44,183

Average Income

$57,350

Median Household Income

15.32%

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)