Sterling, MI Demographics

A map of Sterling's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	421	440	94.0%	92.8%
Black	11	1	2.5%	0.2%
Multiracial	11	25	2.5%	5.3%
Hispanic	4	3	0.9%	0.6%
Native American/Other	1	4	0.2%	0.8%
Asian	0	1	0.0%	0.2%

Sterling, Michigan has an estimated population of 448, a decrease from the 474 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.0% White, 2.5% Black, 2.5% Multiracial, 0.9% Hispanic, 0.2% Native American/Other, and 0.0% 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 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, that probability was 13.5% in 2020 and 11.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sterling is ranked the 566th 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 was ranked the 554th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sterling's White Population

421 residents of Sterling, or 94.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sterling is significantly higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Sterling ranks 149th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's White population has declined by an estimated 4.3%. White residents' share of Sterling's population has increased from 92.8% to 94.0%.

Sterling is more White than neighboring Standish (92.3% White), Skidway Lake (93.6% White), Prescott (87% White), and Pinconning (91.9% White). Sterling is less White than neighboring Omer (94.7% White).

Sterling's Black Population

11 residents of Sterling, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sterling is considerably lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Sterling ranks 567th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Black population has grown by an estimated 1000.0%. Black residents' share of Sterling's population has increased from 0.2% to 2.5%.

Sterling is more Black than neighboring Standish (1.5% Black), Skidway Lake (0.7% Black), Omer (0.7% Black), Prescott (0% Black), and Pinconning (0.1% Black).

Sterling's Asian Population

0 residents of Sterling, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Sterling ranks 517th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Sterling is less Asian than neighboring Standish (0.8% Asian), and Omer (0.4% Asian).

Sterling's Hispanic Population

4 residents of Sterling, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Sterling ranks 703rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 33.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Sterling is less Hispanic than neighboring Standish (2.7% Hispanic), Skidway Lake (1.8% Hispanic), Omer (1.1% Hispanic), Prescott (7% Hispanic), and Pinconning (3% Hispanic).

Sterling's Native American/Other Population

1 residents of Sterling, or 0.2% 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 Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Sterling ranks 305th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 75.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.2%.

Sterling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Prescott (0% Native American/Other), and Pinconning (0.1% Native American/Other). Sterling is less Native American/Other than neighboring Standish (0.8% Native American/Other), Skidway Lake (0.3% Native American/Other), and Omer (0.4% Native American/Other).

Sterling's Multiracial Population

11 residents of Sterling, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sterling is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Sterling ranks 181st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 56.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 5.3% to 2.5%.

Sterling is more Multiracial than neighboring Standish (1.8% Multiracial). Sterling is less Multiracial than neighboring Skidway Lake (3.7% Multiracial), Omer (2.8% Multiracial), Prescott (5.9% Multiracial), and Pinconning (5% 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.