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Sterling, IL
City in Whiteside County, Illinois.
Population
14,717
Land area
5.9sq mi
People per sq mi
2,475
ZIP codes
0
Sterling and its ZIP codes
Sterling at a glance
- Sterling is about 11 times as dense as Illinois as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 167th among 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
- The median household income is $57,350, 31% below the Illinois median of $83,390.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $108,700 (59% below Illinois) and median rent is $859 a month.
Local data for Sterling, IL
Counts from official public data
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools14
- Colleges1
- Libraries1
- Banks13
- Post Offices1
- Parks16
- Grocery Stores7
- Restaurants56
- Affordable Housing3
- Home Health Agencies3
- Hospice Care2
- Community Health Centers1
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment3
- Private Schools3
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities1
- Historic Places2
Housing and community stats
Sterling, IL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$57,350
Poverty rate
15.3%
Median home value
$108,700
Median rent
$859/mo
Homeownership
65.1%
Bachelor's or higher
21.1%
Median age
42.6
Average commute
18.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (3,725), Mexican Americans (3,417), Irish Americans (1,876).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Whiteside County. PPP loans are for Sterling.
Unemployment rate
3.8%
Aug 2026, -1.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$54,349
20,285 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$57,536
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$368M
FY 2026, $6,611 per person
How people get to work
Sterling, IL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.6%
- Carpooled8.1%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked4.6%
- Bicycle2.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.5%
- Worked from home5.8%
Average one-way commute: 18.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Sterling, IL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: drought
Storm events since 1996
681
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
158
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 14°F
40.5 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone2 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Sterling, IL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.4%
U.S. 33.3% +4.1 pts
Diabetes
13.8%
U.S. 12.1% +1.7 pts
Smoking
14.8%
U.S. 12.8% +2.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
12.2%
U.S. 11.1% +1.1 pts
Cities near Sterling
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Rock FallsCity | 2.1 mi | 4 |
| GaltCensus-designated place | 3.8 mi | 0.3 |
| NelsonVillage | 4.4 mi | 0.4 |
| ComoCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 1.1 |
| HarmonVillage | 8.9 mi | 0.2 |
| ColetaVillage | 9 mi | 0.4 |
| DixonCity | 11 mi | 9.5 |
| MilledgevilleVillage | 12 mi | 0.7 |
| TampicoVillage | 13 mi | 0.4 |
| Deer GroveVillage | 13 mi | 0.4 |
| LyndonVillage | 14 mi | 0.8 |
| PoloCity | 14 mi | 1.5 |
| MorrisonCity | 14 mi | 2.5 |
| ProphetstownCity | 16 mi | 1.3 |
| Grand DetourCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 1.2 |
| NachusaCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 0.8 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Sterling, IL in?
- Sterling is in Whiteside County, Illinois.
- What is the population of Sterling, IL?
- About 14,717 people live in Sterling, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Sterling?
- Nearby places include Rock Falls (2.1 mi), Galt (3.8 mi), Nelson (4.4 mi), Como (4.7 mi), Harmon (8.9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023