Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois
City in Whiteside County, Illinois · ZIP 61081
- Whiteside County
- Within Sterling Township
- Census data · ACS 2019-2023
- 10 public schools
- 14,535 (2024 estimate)Population
- 6,659Households
- $52,647Median household income
- $107,800Median home value
- 10Public schools
- 1ZIP codes
About Sterling
This page shows only what has been published about Sterling: Census facts with their sources first, then its businesses, jobs, events, people in public roles, housing and questions as they are added. Nothing here is written by the town government.
Town intelligenceOfficial sources, refreshed yearly
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 15,451 |
| 2010 | 15,370 |
| 2020 | 14,764 |
As counted at each census, within the boundaries the area had then; the current estimate is in the glance card.
Sources: Census 2000 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 17, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2010 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 17, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2020 Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171): total population, place level, state 17, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Median household income $52,647 · Share of households by income, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table S1901.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year subject table S1901 (household income) 2019–2023, place level, state 17, retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Owner occupied
- 4,112 units
- Renter occupied
- 2,547 units
- Vacancy rate
- 9.8%
Occupied housing units by tenure and the share of all units vacant, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table DP04.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 17, retrieved November 14, 2026.
| Measure | Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,670 | 55,192 | 12,692,653 |
| Median household income | $52,647 | $64,536 | $81,702 |
| Median age | 42.6 | 43.4 | 38.9 |
| Median home value | $107,800 | $125,800 | $250,500 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 18.5% | 20.1% | 37.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.7% | 2.8% | 14.4% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.8% | 75.5% | 66.8% |
| Mean commute to work | 17.5 minutes | 19.9 minutes | 28.1 minutes |
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 17, retrieved November 14, 2026.
CommunityRules and moderation
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Events in SterlingAll events
No upcoming event is listed in Sterling yet. Members and businesses add events from the Events page; each is screened before it shows.
Schools
| School | Type | Grades | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Elem School | Public | Pre-K–2 | Sterling CUSD 5 |
| Jefferson Elem School | Public | Pre-K–2 | Sterling CUSD 5 |
| Lincoln Elem School | Public | 3–5 | Sterling CUSD 5 |
| Washington Elem School | Public | 3–5 | Sterling CUSD 5 |
| Challand Middle School | Public | 6–8 | Sterling CUSD 5 |
| Sterling High School | Public | 9–12 | Sterling CUSD 5 |
| Whiteside Area Career | Career and technical | 11–12 | Lee/Ogle/Whiteside ROE |
| Bi-County SpEd HS | Special education | M | Bi-County Special Educ Coop |
| Bi-County-3-5 LIfe Skills-Merrill | Special education | M | Bi-County Special Educ Coop |
| Bi-County-K-2 Life Skills-Dillon | Special education | M | Bi-County Special Educ Coop |
Open public schools in the NCES directory for 2023–2024, placed by their listed location; private schools are not in the source. Enrollment and ratings are not shown.
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data, public school directory 2023–2024, retrieved November 14, 2026; NCES EDGE public school geocodes 2024–2025, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Frequently asked about SterlingPromoted from questions people asked
No question about Sterling has been asked often enough to publish an answer yet. Ask Sterling and the answer, once a person checks it, appears here.
Nearby towns
- Sterling TownshipTownship
- Rock FallsCity
- Coloma TownshipTownship
- GaltCensus designated place
- ComoCensus designated place
- NelsonVillage
- Jordan TownshipTownship
- Hopkins TownshipTownship
- Montmorency TownshipTownship
- Nelson TownshipTownship
Other towns in Whiteside County
- AlbanyVillage
- Albany TownshipTownship
- Clyde TownshipTownship
- ColetaVillage
- Coloma TownshipTownship
- ComoCensus designated place
- Deer GroveVillage
- Erie TownshipTownship
- ErieVillage
- Fenton TownshipTownship
Other places named Sterling in Illinois
- Sterling TownshipTownship