Sterling, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sterling, Illinois had a total population of 14,717, the 167th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $57,350, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
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 | 14,670 | 14,717 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $52,647 | $57,350 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $107,800 | $108,700 | +0.8% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Whiteside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Falls | 8,587 | $49,600 | 25.6% | $83,900 |
| Morrison | 3,739 | $69,089 | 8.1% | $118,000 |
| Fulton | 3,709 | $45,581 | 14.8% | $121,700 |
| Prophetstown | 1,903 | $65,125 | 11.7% | $116,600 |
| Erie | 1,614 | $82,760 | 3.0% | $151,900 |
| Albany | 776 | $62,857 | 4.0% | $148,800 |
| Tampico | 565 | $56,250 | 13.0% | $86,000 |
| Como | 535 | $63,750 | 20.6% | $175,700 |
| Lyndon | 433 | $60,104 | 4.4% | $113,500 |
| Galt | 213 | $112,569 | 4.2% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon | 14,910 | $59,406 | $120,800 | 16.9% | 17.8% |
| Mount Vernon | 14,090 | $55,357 | $99,800 | 18.5% | 17.3% |
| Lincoln | 13,281 | $57,340 | $124,300 | 20.3% | 17.0% |
| Bradley | 15,325 | $67,420 | $173,400 | 20.7% | 7.7% |
| Chicago Ridge | 14,099 | $68,964 | $226,900 | 28.6% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Sterling is a small city located in Illinois, within Whiteside County. The total population is 14,717. It ranks as the 167th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling is 42.6 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling is $57,350. This is 31% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $108,700. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Sterling is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sterling is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.8%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling, Illinois 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 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. 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, Illinois?
Sterling, Illinois has a population of 14,717 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling, IL?
The median household income in Sterling is $57,350, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling, IL?
The poverty rate in Sterling is 15.3%. This means approximately 2,209 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling, Illinois?
Sterling's population is 65.2% White, 2.2% Black, 26.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling, IL?
The median home value in Sterling is $108,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Sterling, Illinois?
21.1% of adults (25+) in Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.