Mount Sterling city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Mount Sterling city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 1,949. It ranks as the 514th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mount Sterling city is 36.7 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. 11.4% 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 Mount Sterling city is $63,922. This is 22% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $118,100. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Mount Sterling city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Mount Sterling city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.4% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.

Education

24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Mount Sterling city, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.