Sterling, AK Demographics

A map of Sterling's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	5,720	4,950	90.5%	83.6%
Native American/Other	225	259	3.6%	4.4%
Hispanic	187	188	3.0%	3.2%
Multiracial	162	427	2.6%	7.2%
Black	18	21	0.3%	0.4%
Asian	11	73	0.2%	1.2%

Sterling, Alaska has an estimated population of 6,323, an increase from the 5,918 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 90.5% White, 3.6% Native American/Other, 3.0% Hispanic, 2.6% Multiracial, 0.3% Black, and 0.2% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sterling, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sterling has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Alaska overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Sterling, that probability was 29.2% in 2020 and 17.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sterling is ranked the 16th most populous place in Alaska, out of 355 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Sterling was ranked the 18th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sterling's White Population

5,720 residents of Sterling, or 90.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sterling is significantly higher than in Alaska overall, where 57.7% of the population is White. Sterling ranks 46th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's White population has grown by an estimated 15.6%. White residents' share of Sterling's population has increased from 83.6% to 90.5%.

Sterling is more White than neighboring Funny River (77.8% White), Ridgeway (82.9% White), Soldotna (76.5% White), Kenai (69.2% White), and Kalifornsky (76.2% White).

Sterling's Black Population

18 residents of Sterling, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Alaska overall, where 2.9% of the population is Black. Sterling ranks 111th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Black population has declined by an estimated 14.3%. Black residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Sterling is more Black than neighboring Funny River (0% Black), and Ridgeway (0% Black). Sterling is less Black than neighboring Soldotna (1.3% Black), Kenai (0.9% Black), and Kalifornsky (0.5% Black).

Sterling's Asian Population

11 residents of Sterling, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sterling is lower than in Alaska overall, where 6.4% of the population is Asian. Sterling ranks 86th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Asian population has declined by an estimated 84.9%. Asian residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.2%.

Sterling is more Asian than neighboring Funny River (0% Asian). Sterling is less Asian than neighboring Ridgeway (1.2% Asian), Soldotna (2% Asian), Kenai (3.4% Asian), and Kalifornsky (1.8% Asian).

Sterling's Hispanic Population

187 residents of Sterling, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Alaska overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Sterling ranks 133rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Sterling is more Hispanic than neighboring Ridgeway (0% Hispanic). Sterling is less Hispanic than neighboring Funny River (5.3% Hispanic), Soldotna (6% Hispanic), Kenai (7.8% Hispanic), and Kalifornsky (3.2% Hispanic).

Sterling's Native American/Other Population

225 residents of Sterling, or 3.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sterling is considerably lower than in Alaska overall, where 15.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Sterling ranks 294th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 4.4% to 3.6%.

Sterling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Funny River (1.6% Native American/Other). Sterling is less Native American/Other than neighboring Ridgeway (11.8% Native American/Other), Soldotna (6.3% Native American/Other), Kenai (5.1% Native American/Other), and Kalifornsky (8.2% Native American/Other).

Sterling's Multiracial Population

162 residents of Sterling, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sterling is lower than in Alaska overall, where 10.3% of the population is Multiracial. Sterling ranks 154th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 62.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 7.2% to 2.6%.

Sterling is less Multiracial than neighboring Funny River (15.4% Multiracial), Ridgeway (4.2% Multiracial), Soldotna (7.9% Multiracial), Kenai (13.7% Multiracial), and Kalifornsky (10.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.