Sterling, KS Demographics

A map of Sterling's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	2,063	1,900	85.6%	84.5%
Hispanic	175	161	7.3%	7.2%
Black	86	83	3.6%	3.7%
Multiracial	60	77	2.5%	3.4%
Native American/Other	24	12	1.0%	0.5%
Asian	3	15	0.1%	0.7%

Sterling, Kansas has an estimated population of 2,411, an increase from the 2,248 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 85.6% White, 7.3% Hispanic, 3.6% Black, 2.5% Multiracial, 1.0% Native American/Other, and 0.1% 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 less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Kansas 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 27.8% in 2020 and 26.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sterling is ranked the 109th most populous place in Kansas, out of 740 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 107th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sterling's White Population

2,063 residents of Sterling, or 85.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sterling is considerably higher than in Kansas overall, where 72.7% of the population is White. Sterling ranks 525th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's White population has grown by an estimated 8.6%. White residents' share of Sterling's population has increased from 84.5% to 85.6%.

Sterling is more White than neighboring Lyons (67.8% White), and Chase (83.3% White). Sterling is less White than neighboring Alden (94.3% White), Nickerson (93% White), and Raymond (98.2% White).

Sterling's Black Population

86 residents of Sterling, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sterling is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Sterling ranks 48th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Black residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.6%.

Sterling is more Black than neighboring Alden (0% Black), Nickerson (0% Black), Lyons (2% Black), Chase (1.4% Black), and Raymond (0% Black).

Sterling's Asian Population

3 residents of Sterling, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Kansas overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Sterling ranks 160th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Asian population has declined by an estimated 80.0%. Asian residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.1%.

Sterling is more Asian than neighboring Alden (0% Asian), Lyons (0% Asian), Chase (0% Asian), and Raymond (0% Asian). Sterling is less Asian than neighboring Nickerson (0.4% Asian).

Sterling's Hispanic Population

175 residents of Sterling, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sterling is lower than in Kansas overall, where 13.6% of the population is Hispanic. Sterling ranks 182nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.3%.

Sterling is more Hispanic than neighboring Alden (0% Hispanic), Nickerson (0.1% Hispanic), and Raymond (0% Hispanic). Sterling is less Hispanic than neighboring Lyons (22.2% Hispanic), and Chase (8.4% Hispanic).

Sterling's Native American/Other Population

24 residents of Sterling, or 1.0% 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 Kansas overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Sterling ranks 421st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sterling's population has increased from 0.5% to 1.0%.

Sterling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Nickerson (0% Native American/Other), Lyons (0.2% Native American/Other), and Raymond (0% Native American/Other). Sterling is less Native American/Other than neighboring Alden (5.7% Native American/Other), and Chase (3.3% Native American/Other).

Sterling's Multiracial Population

60 residents of Sterling, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Kansas overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Sterling ranks 507th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 22.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 3.4% to 2.5%.

Sterling is more Multiracial than neighboring Alden (0% Multiracial), and Raymond (1.8% Multiracial). Sterling is less Multiracial than neighboring Nickerson (6.5% Multiracial), Lyons (7.9% Multiracial), and Chase (3.7% 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.