Sterling, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sterling, Virginia had a total population of 32,411, the 35th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $123,303, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Virginia.
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 | 31,251 | 32,411 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $125,753 | $123,303 | -1.9% |
| Median home value | $508,400 | $526,000 | +3.5% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sterling Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Loudoun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leesburg | 49,171 | $145,205 | 6.6% | $667,800 |
| Ashburn | 46,026 | $154,978 | 4.0% | $699,300 |
| South Riding | 34,352 | $196,403 | 3.8% | $746,200 |
| Brambleton | 24,537 | $238,018 | 3.5% | $865,800 |
| Stone Ridge | 16,603 | $187,563 | 1.8% | $672,800 |
| Broadlands | 14,353 | $241,042 | 1.0% | $896,900 |
| Sugarland Run | 12,629 | $166,385 | 5.4% | $576,700 |
| Cascades | 12,357 | $167,171 | 2.9% | $671,100 |
| Lansdowne | 12,328 | $168,731 | 3.6% | $774,300 |
| Lowes Island | 11,018 | $220,833 | 1.6% | $793,200 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 31,154 | $125,999 | $640,300 | 46.9% | 8.9% |
| West Falls Church | 31,279 | $134,978 | $706,800 | 52.4% | 7.9% |
| Fair Oaks | 35,545 | $123,947 | $608,200 | 69.0% | 5.7% |
| Tysons | 28,936 | $129,818 | $640,000 | 79.3% | 7.9% |
| Short Pump | 29,026 | $138,845 | $568,900 | 75.1% | 3.6% |
Population Overview
Sterling is a mid-sized community located in Virginia, within Loudoun County. The total population is 32,411. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sterling is 35.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sterling is $123,303. This is 32% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 53% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $526,000. Housing costs are 37% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sterling is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.7%) is well below the state average of 58.4%. The Black or African American population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (49.2% vs 11.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.1% vs 6.9%).
Education
35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sterling, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Sterling, Virginia has a population of 32,411 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sterling, VA?
The median household income in Sterling is $123,303, which is 53% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sterling, VA?
The poverty rate in Sterling is 8.0%. This means approximately 2,572 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sterling, Virginia?
Sterling's population is 25.7% White, 7.2% Black, 49.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sterling, VA?
The median home value in Sterling is $526,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Sterling, Virginia?
35.4% of adults (25+) in Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.