City in Whiteside County, Illinois
Sterling
Who lives in Sterling
Census survey estimates for 2020 to 2024, rounded.
People
- Population
- 14,700
- Median age
- 42.6 years
- Under 18
- 20%
- 65 and over
- 22%
- Veterans, of adults
- 9%
- Speak another language at home
- 12%
Race and ethnicity
- Hispanic or Latino, of any race
- 27%
- White, not Hispanic
- 65%
- Black, not Hispanic
- 2%
- Asian, not Hispanic
- 1%
Income and housing
- Median household income
- $57,400
- Below the poverty line
- 15%
- Bachelor's or higher, adults 25+
- 21%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
- Median home value
- $109,000
2024 vote for president
Not counted for Sterling on its own: its precincts follow township lines, not the town’s. See the figure for Whiteside County.
Who represents Sterling
Sterling's districts
U.S. House District 17
All of Sterling
Held by Eric Sorensen, Democratic
- Washington office: (202) 225-5905
About 746,000 people, median household income $59,400.
Largest towns: Rockford (part), Peoria (part), Bloomington (part) and 124 more
Illinois Senate District 37
All of Sterling
Held by Li Arellano, Republican
- Springfield office: (217) 782-1942
- District office: (779) 251-5003
Illinois House District 74
All of Sterling
Held by Brad Fritts, Republican
- Springfield office: (217) 782-0535
- District office: (815) 561-3690
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024; towns and counties from the 2020 Census, 119th Congressional District and 2024 state legislative district tabulation. Figures rounded by us. Retrieved 2026-10-19. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024; towns and counties from the 2020 Census, 119th Congressional District and 2024 state legislative district tabulation. Figures rounded by us. Retrieved 2026-10-19. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.