Sterling, IL Demographics

A map of Sterling's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	9,590	9,644	65.2%	65.3%
Hispanic	3,945	3,944	26.8%	26.7%
Multiracial	583	574	4.0%	3.9%
Black	325	394	2.2%	2.7%
Asian	171	150	1.2%	1.0%
Native American/Other	103	58	0.7%	0.4%

Sterling, Illinois has an estimated population of 14,717, a less than 1% change from the 14,764 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.2% White, 26.8% Hispanic, 4.0% Multiracial, 2.2% Black, 1.2% Asian, and 0.7% Native American/Other. 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 is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois 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 50.0% in 2020 and 50.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sterling is ranked the 167th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 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 163rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sterling's White Population

9,590 residents of Sterling, or 65.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sterling is higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Sterling ranks 1270th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 65.2%.

Sterling is more White than neighboring Galt (64.3% White), and Como (60.6% White). Sterling is less White than neighboring Rock Falls (74.4% White), Nelson (95.2% White), and Coleta (79.9% White).

Sterling's Black Population

325 residents of Sterling, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sterling is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Sterling ranks 310th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Black population has declined by an estimated 17.5%. Black residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 2.7% to 2.2%.

Sterling is more Black than neighboring Rock Falls (0.4% Black), Galt (0% Black), Nelson (0% Black), and Coleta (0% Black). Sterling is less Black than neighboring Como (6.2% Black).

Sterling's Asian Population

171 residents of Sterling, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Sterling ranks 372nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Asian population has grown by an estimated 14.0%. Asian residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Sterling is more Asian than neighboring Rock Falls (0.1% Asian), Galt (0% Asian), Como (0% Asian), and Coleta (0% Asian). Sterling is less Asian than neighboring Nelson (1.6% Asian).

Sterling's Hispanic Population

3,945 residents of Sterling, or 26.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sterling is higher than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Sterling ranks 83rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 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 26.8%.

Sterling is more Hispanic than neighboring Rock Falls (21.7% Hispanic), Como (17.9% Hispanic), Nelson (3.2% Hispanic), and Coleta (20.1% Hispanic). Sterling is less Hispanic than neighboring Galt (35.7% Hispanic).

Sterling's Native American/Other Population

103 residents of Sterling, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sterling is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Sterling ranks 724th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 77.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Sterling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Galt (0% Native American/Other), Como (0% Native American/Other), Nelson (0% Native American/Other), and Coleta (0% Native American/Other).

Sterling's Multiracial Population

583 residents of Sterling, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sterling is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Sterling ranks 567th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 1.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.0%.

Sterling is more Multiracial than neighboring Rock Falls (2.7% Multiracial), Galt (0% Multiracial), Nelson (0% Multiracial), and Coleta (0% Multiracial). Sterling is less Multiracial than neighboring Como (15.3% 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.