What city is ZIP code 48659?

ZIP code 48659 is in Sterling, MI (Arenac County).

What county is ZIP code 48659 in?

ZIP code 48659 is mostly in Arenac County, Michigan.

How many people live in ZIP code 48659?

About 2,563 people live in the 48659 ZIP Code Tabulation Area, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

Checked Oct 26, 2026

ZIP Code 48659

Sterling, MI, Arenac County

Population

2,563

Land area

76.1sq mi

People per sq mi

City

Sterling

ZIP 48659 and nearby ZIP codes

Full map

ZIP 48659 at a glance

ZIP 48659 (Sterling) is 81% less dense than Michigan as a whole.
The median household income is $58,750, 19% below the Michigan median of $72,875.
A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $146,200 (37% below Michigan) and median rent is $853 a month.

Local data for ZIP 48659

Counts from official public data

Housing and community stats

ZIP 48659, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$58,750

Poverty rate

17.2%

Median home value

$146,200

Median rent

$853/mo

Homeownership

88.9%

Bachelor's or higher

13.6%

Median age

39.6

Average commute

27.9 min

Income, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Businesses, pandemic loans and political donations

Details

Business establishments

ZIP Business Patterns 2023

Employees

342

$16.3M annual payroll

PPP loans

$3.9M

48 loans

Campaign donations

$2,737

0% D, 26% R, 2026 cycle

PPP loans in this ZIP

Environment and hazard risk

ZIP 48659, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

Natural hazard risk

Very Low

Top: winter weather

Storm events since 1996

174

Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind

Flood insurance policies

100

1.0% of homes, county

July high / Jan low

80° / 14°F

30.7 inches of rain a year

Hazards, floods and storm history Check a flood zone

Health statistics

Share of adults in ZIP 48659, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

Obesity

39.3%

U.S. 33.3% +6.0 pts

Diabetes

13.4%

U.S. 12.1% +1.3 pts

Smoking

19.0%

U.S. 12.8% +6.2 pts

Uninsured (18-64)

7.3%

U.S. 11.1% -3.8 pts

Frequently asked questions

What city is ZIP code 48659?: ZIP code 48659 is in Sterling, MI (Arenac County).
What county is ZIP code 48659 in?: ZIP code 48659 is mostly in Arenac County, Michigan.
How many people live in ZIP code 48659?: About 2,563 people live in the 48659 ZIP Code Tabulation Area, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023. ZIP Code Tabulation Areas closely match, but are not identical to, USPS ZIP code delivery areas.