Sterling, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sterling, Ohio had a total population of 364, the 965th largest community in Ohio, with a median household income of $61,250, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.4% — among the lowest in Ohio.
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 | 236 | 364 | +54.2% |
| Median household income | $53,558 | $61,250 | +14.4% |
| Median home value | $117,400 | $177,000 | +50.8% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wooster | 26,971 | $66,898 | 9.2% | $214,200 |
| Orrville | 8,343 | $72,569 | 15.2% | $188,900 |
| Doylestown | 3,048 | $79,181 | 3.1% | $268,500 |
| Dalton | 1,636 | $68,571 | 4.1% | $183,300 |
| Shreve | 1,552 | $66,220 | 10.3% | $145,200 |
| Smithville | 1,330 | $71,944 | 6.7% | $197,100 |
| West Salem | 1,033 | $62,042 | 13.9% | $125,900 |
| Apple Creek | 963 | $71,250 | 7.4% | $191,400 |
| Marshallville | 707 | $59,821 | 6.0% | $172,300 |
| Kidron | 608 | $70,227 | 1.6% | $201,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damascus | 361 | N/A | $137,500 | 14.6% | 0.0% |
| Austinburg | 359 | N/A | $162,500 | 13.0% | 13.3% |
| Minford | 379 | N/A | $221,300 | 11.4% | 14.2% |
| Waldo | 370 | $64,519 | $150,000 | 18.3% | 2.2% |
| Zaleski | 386 | N/A | N/A | 9.8% | 9.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 364, Sterling's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Sterling is a small community located in Ohio, within Wayne County. The total population is 364. It ranks as the 965th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling is 33.1 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.7 years. With 31.9% of the population under 18, Sterling has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling is $61,250. This is 14% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.4%. This is 90% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $177,000. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Sterling is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sterling has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents.
Education
12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. 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, Ohio?
Sterling, Ohio has a population of 364 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling, OH?
The median household income in Sterling is $61,250, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling, OH?
The poverty rate in Sterling is 1.4%. This means approximately 5 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling, Ohio?
Sterling's population is 94.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling, OH?
The median home value in Sterling is $177,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Sterling, Ohio?
12.9% of adults (25+) in Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.