Sterling, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sterling, Colorado had a total population of 13,172, the 58th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $43,283, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 13,273 | 13,172 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $44,242 | $43,283 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $205,200 | $217,400 | +5.9% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Logan County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Heights | 14,125 | $56,597 | $95,300 | 14.2% | 24.2% |
| Fort Morgan | 11,605 | $64,158 | $313,400 | 18.2% | 16.0% |
| Alamosa | 9,879 | $49,688 | $225,200 | 33.3% | 15.9% |
| Delta | 9,421 | $45,250 | $283,300 | 24.4% | 20.5% |
| Fruita | 13,691 | $87,184 | $398,200 | 33.7% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Sterling is a small city located in Colorado, within Logan County. The total population is 13,172. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling is 37.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling is $43,283. This is 55% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 101% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $217,400. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sterling is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.2%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling, Colorado 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 Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sterling, Colorado?
Sterling, Colorado has a population of 13,172 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling, CO?
The median household income in Sterling is $43,283, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling, CO?
The poverty rate in Sterling is 19.0%. This means approximately 2,090 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling, Colorado?
Sterling's population is 70.2% White, 4.3% Black, 21.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling, CO?
The median home value in Sterling is $217,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Sterling, Colorado?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.