Sterling Heights city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Sterling Heights city, Michigan has a total population of 133,473, the 4th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $78,429, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Sterling Heights city is the 4th largest city in Michigan with a population of 133,473.
Sterling Heights city Quick Facts
How Sterling Heights city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Heights city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Macomb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren city | 138,128 | $63,741 | 12.8% | $181,900 |
| St. Clair Shores city | 58,287 | $72,693 | 7.7% | $196,400 |
| Roseville city | 47,240 | $61,222 | 11.8% | $142,700 |
| Eastpointe city | 34,003 | $58,196 | 18.2% | $129,100 |
| Mount Clemens city | 15,567 | $57,663 | 14.3% | $169,000 |
| Fraser city | 14,604 | $61,118 | 10.3% | $193,600 |
| New Baltimore city | 12,060 | $97,027 | 4.9% | $309,800 |
| Center Line city | 8,448 | $52,857 | 12.6% | $145,300 |
| Utica city | 5,184 | $55,524 | 7.0% | $216,800 |
Cities Similar to Sterling Heights city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor city | 121,179 | $81,089 | $435,100 | 77.7% | 22.9% |
| Warren city | 138,128 | $63,741 | $181,900 | 20.4% | 12.8% |
| Dearborn city | 107,846 | $65,192 | $205,900 | 34.3% | 24.3% |
| Lansing city | 112,546 | $52,170 | $119,400 | 29.6% | 19.9% |
| Livonia city | 94,058 | $96,317 | $265,300 | 40.5% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Sterling Heights city is a major urban center located in Michigan, within Macomb County. The total population is 133,473. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling Heights city is 41.5 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling Heights city is $78,429. This is 10% higher than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 10.6%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $260,700. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 76.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sterling Heights city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.9%. The Black or African American population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.9% vs 3.3%).
Education
31.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling Heights city, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sterling Heights city, Michigan?
Sterling Heights city, Michigan has a population of 133,473 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling Heights city, MI?
The median household income in Sterling Heights city is $78,429, which is about average the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling Heights city, MI?
The poverty rate in Sterling Heights city is 10.6%. This means approximately 14,069 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling Heights city, Michigan?
Sterling Heights city's population is 78.2% White, 6.5% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling Heights city, MI?
The median home value in Sterling Heights city is $260,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Sterling Heights city, Michigan?
31.2% of adults (25+) in Sterling Heights city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.