Census ACS · #577 μSA
Sterling Metro Area
The Sterling, Il Micropolitan Statistical Area has 55,192 residents. The median household income is $64,536 and the median home value is $125,800.
55,192
Population
81
People / sq mi
$64,536
Median Income
$125,800
Median Home Value
The Sterling CBSA covers 684 sq mi of land at 80.7 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 87.9% |
| Black or African American | 1.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
Economy & Income
$64,536
Median Household Income
$36,788
Per Capita Income
8.3%
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Unemployment
Housing
$125,800
Median Home Value
$808
Median Rent
75.5%
Homeownership
Education
91.0%
High School+
20.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
4.9%
Work From Home
19.9 min
Avg Commute
23.8%
Foreign Born
Sterling spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Other metros
Metro areas in Illinois
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sterling, Il Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 55,192 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #577 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Sterling metro area is $64,536, with a per capita income of $36,788.
The Sterling, Il CBSA spans the state of Illinois.
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More from Illinois
Data for the Sterling, Il CBSA (44580) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
In Sterling, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $125,800. Sterling is a metro area in IL with a population of 55,192.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $64,536 — below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 8.3%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $125,800, with typical rent around $808.
Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 20.1%, below the national 35.0%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.