Sterling, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sterling, Alaska had a total population of 6,323, the 16th largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $102,415, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in Alaska.
Sterling Quick Facts
How Sterling Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,776 | 6,323 | -6.7% |
| Median household income | $110,341 | $102,415 | -7.2% |
| Median home value | $346,100 | $353,400 | +2.1% |
How Sterling Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Kenai Peninsula Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalifornsky | 8,663 | $93,508 | 8.6% | $336,800 |
| Kenai | 7,641 | $87,083 | 13.2% | $283,900 |
| Homer | 5,877 | $74,449 | 11.8% | $388,400 |
| Nikiski | 4,773 | $65,863 | 15.9% | $312,600 |
| Soldotna | 4,485 | $56,280 | 16.4% | $306,000 |
| Seward | 2,794 | $85,481 | 9.3% | $338,100 |
| Fritz Creek | 2,383 | $89,531 | 7.9% | $344,100 |
| Anchor Point | 2,243 | $63,000 | 14.4% | $241,600 |
| Ridgeway | 1,997 | $90,391 | 16.6% | $303,900 |
| Bear Creek | 1,732 | $95,774 | 3.1% | $474,500 |
Cities Similar to Sterling
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | $377,500 | 24.1% | 7.6% |
| Bethel | 6,312 | $117,255 | $360,200 | 24.5% | 11.6% |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | $416,300 | 29.8% | 9.2% |
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | $348,400 | 35.3% | 3.3% |
| Palmer | 6,268 | $72,201 | $294,900 | 24.5% | 13.0% |
Population Overview
Sterling is a small city located in Alaska, within Kenai Peninsula Borough. The total population is 6,323. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling is 46.8 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 35.8 years. 10.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling is $102,415. This is 10% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $353,400. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 86.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sterling has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.5% vs 57.7%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 31.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 326 Census-designated places in Alaska. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Alaska city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sterling, Alaska?
Sterling, Alaska has a population of 6,323 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling, AK?
The median household income in Sterling is $102,415, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling, AK?
The poverty rate in Sterling is 4.5%. This means approximately 287 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling, Alaska?
Sterling's population is 90.5% White, 0.3% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling, AK?
The median home value in Sterling is $353,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Sterling, Alaska?
29.2% of adults (25+) in Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.