Sterling Heights, MI Demographics

A map of Sterling Heights's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	101,731	106,149	76.2%	79.0%
Asian	12,337	10,935	9.2%	8.1%
Black	9,918	8,709	7.4%	6.5%
Multiracial	4,700	4,728	3.5%	3.5%
Hispanic	4,023	3,275	3.0%	2.4%
Native American/Other	864	550	0.6%	0.4%

Sterling Heights, Michigan has an estimated population of 133,573, a less than 1% change from the 134,346 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.2% White, 9.2% Asian, 7.4% Black, 3.5% Multiracial, 3.0% Hispanic, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sterling Heights, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sterling Heights has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Sterling Heights, that probability was 36.3% in 2020 and 40.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sterling Heights is ranked the 4th most populous place in Michigan, out of 745 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 Heights was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sterling Heights's White Population

101,731 residents of Sterling Heights, or 76.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sterling Heights is slightly higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Sterling Heights ranks 622nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling Heights's White population has declined by an estimated 4.2%. White residents' share of Sterling Heights's population has decreased from 79.0% to 76.2%.

Sterling Heights is more White than neighboring Warren (58% White), and Center Line (48.9% White). Sterling Heights is less White than neighboring Utica (82.6% White), Fraser (79.4% White), and Madison Heights (78.2% White).

Sterling Heights's Black Population

9,918 residents of Sterling Heights, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sterling Heights is lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Sterling Heights ranks 97th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling Heights's Black population has grown by an estimated 13.9%. Black residents' share of Sterling Heights's population has increased from 6.5% to 7.4%.

Sterling Heights is more Black than neighboring Utica (3.4% Black). Sterling Heights is less Black than neighboring Warren (21.8% Black), Fraser (10% Black), Center Line (31.6% Black), and Madison Heights (7.8% Black).

Sterling Heights's Asian Population

12,337 residents of Sterling Heights, or 9.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sterling Heights is higher than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Sterling Heights ranks 15th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling Heights's Asian population has grown by an estimated 12.8%. Asian residents' share of Sterling Heights's population has increased from 8.1% to 9.2%.

Sterling Heights is more Asian than neighboring Utica (4.5% Asian), Fraser (1.7% Asian), and Madison Heights (6.5% Asian). Sterling Heights is less Asian than neighboring Warren (12.7% Asian), and Center Line (12.1% Asian).

Sterling Heights's Hispanic Population

4,023 residents of Sterling Heights, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sterling Heights is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Sterling Heights ranks 494th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling Heights's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 22.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Sterling Heights's population has increased from 2.4% to 3.0%.

Sterling Heights is more Hispanic than neighboring Warren (2.4% Hispanic), Fraser (2.6% Hispanic), Center Line (1.4% Hispanic), and Madison Heights (2.2% Hispanic). Sterling Heights is less Hispanic than neighboring Utica (5.3% Hispanic).

Sterling Heights's Native American/Other Population

864 residents of Sterling Heights, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sterling Heights is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Sterling Heights ranks 586th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling Heights's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 57.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sterling Heights's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Sterling Heights is more Native American/Other than neighboring Warren (0.5% Native American/Other). Sterling Heights is less Native American/Other than neighboring Utica (1.1% Native American/Other), Fraser (0.8% Native American/Other), Center Line (1.3% Native American/Other), and Madison Heights (1% Native American/Other).

Sterling Heights's Multiracial Population

4,700 residents of Sterling Heights, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sterling Heights is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Sterling Heights ranks 517th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling Heights's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Sterling Heights's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Sterling Heights is more Multiracial than neighboring Utica (3.1% Multiracial). Sterling Heights is less Multiracial than neighboring Warren (4.6% Multiracial), Fraser (5.5% Multiracial), Center Line (4.7% Multiracial), and Madison Heights (4.4% 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.