City in Whiteside County, Illinois · 5.9 sq mi · 2,406 people per sq mi
14,306 people live in Sterling. The typical household earns $57,350, and the median resident is 42.6 years old.
2026 projection
From 14,764 in 2020
Poverty rate 15.32%
Men 40.1 · Women 44.5
1860–2026
14,306
2026 projection
3.1% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal 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
3.1% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal 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 | -7 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 14,764 | -75 | 0.51% |
| 2019 | 14,839 | -55 | 0.37% |
| 2018 | 14,894 | -115 | 0.77% |
| 2017 | 15,009 | -95 | 0.63% |
Showing 10 of 32 years.
The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.
Sterling has a population change lower than Whiteside County, Illinois, and the U.S.
Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.
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
14 sources