Sterling Heights, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sterling Heights, Michigan had a total population of 133,573, the 4th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $79,909, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Sterling Heights is the 4th largest city in Michigan with a population of 133,573.
Sterling Heights Quick Facts
How Sterling Heights 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 | 133,473 | 133,573 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $78,429 | $79,909 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $260,700 | $274,300 | +5.2% |
How Sterling Heights 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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Heights Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Macomb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren | 137,928 | $64,016 | 14.8% | $193,400 |
| St. Clair Shores | 58,140 | $73,500 | 8.4% | $210,700 |
| Roseville | 47,123 | $62,182 | 12.5% | $155,800 |
| Eastpointe | 33,982 | $62,325 | 17.5% | $142,200 |
| Mount Clemens | 15,511 | $52,310 | 16.4% | $179,400 |
| Fraser | 14,583 | $64,354 | 10.4% | $215,900 |
| New Baltimore | 12,072 | $106,033 | 5.4% | $323,200 |
| Center Line | 8,463 | $54,703 | 16.8% | $156,600 |
| New Haven | 6,475 | $66,125 | 13.8% | $209,000 |
| Richmond | 5,855 | $64,719 | 13.5% | $237,700 |
Cities Similar to Sterling Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | 122,036 | $82,212 | $453,400 | 77.9% | 23.8% |
| Warren | 137,928 | $64,016 | $193,400 | 21.0% | 14.8% |
| Dearborn | 107,423 | $65,324 | $218,800 | 34.6% | 24.3% |
| Lansing | 113,023 | $54,382 | $128,700 | 30.2% | 20.1% |
| Livonia | 93,851 | $98,460 | $281,100 | 41.9% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Sterling Heights is a major urban center located in Michigan, within Macomb County. The total population is 133,573. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling Heights is 41.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling Heights is $79,909. This is 10% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $274,300. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 75.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sterling Heights is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 9.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (9.2% vs 3.4%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling Heights, Michigan 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 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. 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 Heights, Michigan?
Sterling Heights, Michigan has a population of 133,573 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling Heights, MI?
The median household income in Sterling Heights is $79,909, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling Heights, MI?
The poverty rate in Sterling Heights is 11.1%. This means approximately 14,676 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling Heights, Michigan?
Sterling Heights's population is 76.2% White, 7.4% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling Heights, MI?
The median home value in Sterling Heights is $274,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Sterling Heights, Michigan?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Sterling Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.