Sterling city, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Sterling city, Colorado has a total population of 13,273, the 56th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $44,242, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Sterling city Quick Facts
How Sterling city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling city Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Cities Similar to Sterling city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Heights city | 14,160 | $57,957 | $91,300 | 12.2% | 20.8% |
| Fort Morgan city | 11,521 | $59,121 | $259,900 | 18.4% | 15.5% |
| Fruita city | 13,578 | $77,680 | $361,500 | 31.1% | 3.9% |
| Alamosa city | 9,847 | $46,969 | $200,200 | 29.7% | 17.8% |
| Delta city | 9,266 | $46,010 | $238,100 | 20.7% | 19.5% |
Population Overview
Sterling city is a small city located in Colorado. The total population is 13,273. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 471 cities and towns in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling city is 38.0 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling city is $44,242. This is 52% lower than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 4.5%. The median home value is $205,200. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $502,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sterling city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.9%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
14.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 44.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling city, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 471 Census-designated places in Colorado. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sterling city, Colorado?
Sterling city, Colorado has a population of 13,273 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling city, CO?
The median household income in Sterling city is $44,242, which is 44% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling city, CO?
The poverty rate in Sterling city is 15.2%. This means approximately 1,731 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling city, Colorado?
Sterling city's population is 70.6% White, 2.3% Black, 20.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling city, CO?
The median home value in Sterling city is $205,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Sterling city, Colorado?
14.6% of adults (25+) in Sterling city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.