Sterling, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Sterling, Virginia is 31,251 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 35th-largest city in Virginia. The median household income is $125,753, the median home value is $508,400, and the median age is 34.8.
31,251
Population
5730
People / sq mi
$125,753
Median Income
$508,400
Median Home Value
Sterling covers 5.5 sq mi of land at 5730 people per square mile.
About Sterling, VA
Sterling is a city in Virginia with a population of 31,251. It ranks #35 among cities in Virginia by population. The median age is 34.8, younger than the national median. The population is 51.2% male and 48.8% female.
The median household income in Sterling is $125,753, above the US median of $74,580. 7.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $508,400, with monthly rent averaging $1,979. The homeownership rate of 75.3% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Sterling reflects 37.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 12.9% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.6 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 39.2% |
| Black or African American | 6.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.2% |
Economy & Income
$125,753
Median Household Income
$46,400
Per Capita Income
7.5%
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$508,400
Median Home Value
$1,979
Median Rent
75.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
79.1%
High School+
37.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.1%
Drive Alone
66.8%
Public Transit
12.9%
Work From Home
25.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
21.1%
Foreign Born
39.5%
Non-English at Home
5.0%
Veterans
6.3%
With Disability
83.7%
Health Insurance
97.9%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 23.1% |
| Construction | 13.6% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 13.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.9% |
| Retail Trade | 6.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.6% |
| Public Administration | 6.3% |
| Manufacturing | 5.6% |
| Information | 4.5% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.1% |
Largest cities in Virginia
Largest counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Sterling, Virginia has a population of 31,251 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 35th-largest city in Virginia.
The median household income in Sterling, Virginia is $125,753, with 7.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Sterling, Virginia is $508,400, with median monthly rent at $1,979 and a homeownership rate of 75.3%.
The median age in Sterling, Virginia is 34.8 years. The population is 51.2% male and 48.8% female.
More from Virginia
Population 457,066
Population 251,153
Population 235,463
Population 235,037
Population 227,595
Full rankings of Virginia cities by population
Statewide data for Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.