Sterling, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sterling, Kansas had a total population of 2,411, the 109th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $54,922, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 39.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
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 | 2,396 | 2,411 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $51,304 | $54,922 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $130,200 | $133,000 | +2.2% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Rice County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyons | 3,553 | $62,569 | 9.1% | $104,800 |
| Chase | 490 | $59,375 | 13.7% | $75,300 |
| Little River | 402 | $66,667 | 4.4% | $116,100 |
| Geneseo | 213 | $46,563 | 15.0% | $44,700 |
| Bushton | 201 | $38,958 | 8.0% | $47,300 |
| Raymond | 109 | $56,250 | 22.0% | $56,100 |
| Alden | 87 | $39,375 | 28.9% | $55,000 |
| Frederick | 40 | $38,831 | 0.0% | $65,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neodesha | 2,503 | $50,792 | $91,400 | 22.5% | 16.5% |
| Council Grove | 2,265 | $57,962 | $134,900 | 29.6% | 13.7% |
| Ellinwood | 2,192 | $56,379 | $109,300 | 20.1% | 14.1% |
| Anthony | 2,246 | $50,598 | $69,000 | 22.4% | 21.1% |
| Burlington | 2,605 | $50,882 | $149,300 | 20.1% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Sterling is a small community located in Kansas, within Rice County. The total population is 2,411. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling is 29.4 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling is $54,922. This is 26% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $133,000. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Sterling is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sterling has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.3%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
39.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Sterling in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.5%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling, Kansas 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 Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. 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, Kansas?
Sterling, Kansas has a population of 2,411 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling, KS?
The median household income in Sterling is $54,922, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling, KS?
The poverty rate in Sterling is 5.7%. This means approximately 110 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling, Kansas?
Sterling's population is 85.6% White, 3.6% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling, KS?
The median home value in Sterling is $133,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Sterling, Kansas?
39.8% of adults (25+) in Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.