Sterling County, Texas Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 240th-largest in Texas
The population of Sterling County, Texas is 1,389 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 240th-largest county in Texas. The median household income is $78,750, the median home value is $143,200, and the median age is 31.4.
The population of Sterling County has grown 22.0% since 2010 (1,137 → 1,387), a +1.43% annualized rate.
1,389
Population
+1.43%
Annual growth
2
People / sq mi
$78,750
Median Income
$143,200
Median Home Value
Sterling County covers 923 sq mi of land at 1.5 people per square mile.
About Sterling County, TX
The poverty rate is what most separates Sterling County from the typical county: 1.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Sterling County is a county in Texas with a population of 1,389.
Households take in a median $78,750, comfortably near the US median of $78,538. Very few residents live in poverty — 1.2%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $143,200, with typical rent around $968.
Roughly 24.5% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 8.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.
Sterling County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Sterling County had a population of 1,137 in 2010 and 1,387 in 2024, a 22.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 1,417 in 2022. Average annual growth rate: 1.48%.
1,387
Population (2024)
1,137
Population (2010)
1,417
Peak (2022)
1.48%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,137 |
| 2011 | 1,170 |
| 2012 | 1,190 |
| 2013 | 1,228 |
| 2014 | 1,339 |
| 2015 | 1,330 |
| 2016 | 1,337 |
| 2017 | 1,285 |
| 2018 | 1,306 |
| 2019 | 1,295 |
| 2020 | 1,384 |
| 2021 | 1,384 |
| 2022 | 1,417 |
| 2023 | 1,377 |
| 2024 | 1,387 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 81.7% |
| Black or African American | 0.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
31.4
Median Age
46.5%
Female
53.5%
Male
13.3%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 33.0% · Seniors (65+): 13.3%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $78,750+$2,458 vs state |
| Mean household income | $112,935 |
| Per-capita income | $33,497 |
| Poverty rate | 1.2%-9.3% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4% |
| Employment-to-population | 59.0% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Sterling County is agriculture, accounting for 27.6% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
1.3%
Carpool
79.0%
Public transit
8.0%
Work from home
27.1 min
Avg commute
Housing
$143,200$-117,200 vs state
Median home value
$968
Median rent
83.3%
Homeownership rate
508
Total housing units
79.1%
Occupied
20.9%
Vacant
16.7%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
74.2%
With health insurance
97.3%
With broadband internet
26.8%
Foreign-born
2.4%
Veterans (18+)
10.2%
With a disability
74.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
87.9%
High School+
24.5%
Bachelor's+
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Part of Texas
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Sterling County, Texas has a population of 1,389 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 240th-largest county in Texas. Population density is 2 people per square mile.
The population of Sterling County has grown 22.0% since 2010 (1,137 → 1,387), a +1.43% annualized rate.
The median household income in Sterling County, Texas is $78,750, with mean (average) household income of $112,935 and per-capita income of $33,497. 1.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Sterling County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (81.7%), Black or African American (0.1%), Hispanic or Latino (0.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Sterling County, Texas is 31.4 years. Residents are 46.5% female and 53.5% male.
The median home value in Sterling County is $143,200 and median monthly rent is $968. 83.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 508 total housing units, 20.9% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Sterling County, Texas is agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining, employing 27.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.4%.
Houston is among the largest cities associated with Sterling County, Texas, with a population of 2,300,419.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.