Sterling, VA Demographics

A map of Sterling's Population by Race

Sterling, Virginia has an estimated population of 32,411, an increase from the 30,337 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 49.2% Hispanic, 25.7% White, 15.1% Asian, 7.2% Black, 1.6% Multiracial, and 1.2% 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 has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Virginia 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 68.6% in 2020 and 66.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sterling is ranked the 35th most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 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 37th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sterling's White Population

8,328 residents of Sterling, or 25.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sterling is significantly lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Sterling ranks 617th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's White population has declined by an estimated 7.7%. White residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 29.7% to 25.7%.

Sterling is less White than neighboring Oak Grove (36.1% White), Dulles Town Center (27.3% White), Dranesville (69.2% White), Sugarland Run (38.4% White), and Herndon (36% White).

Sterling's Black Population

2,343 residents of Sterling, or 7.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sterling is considerably lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Sterling ranks 355th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Black population has grown by an estimated 12.6%. Black residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.2%.

Sterling is more Black than neighboring Dranesville (4.7% Black). Sterling is less Black than neighboring Oak Grove (16.2% Black), Dulles Town Center (16% Black), Sugarland Run (9% Black), and Herndon (8.1% Black).

Sterling's Asian Population

4,902 residents of Sterling, or 15.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sterling is higher than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Sterling ranks 78th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Asian population has grown by an estimated 11.1%. Asian residents' share of Sterling's population has increased from 14.5% to 15.1%.

Sterling is more Asian than neighboring Dranesville (14% Asian), and Sugarland Run (14.1% Asian). Sterling is less Asian than neighboring Oak Grove (31.5% Asian), Dulles Town Center (30.3% Asian), and Herndon (16.1% Asian).

Sterling's Hispanic Population

15,942 residents of Sterling, or 49.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sterling is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Sterling ranks 11th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 18.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Sterling's population has increased from 44.5% to 49.2%.

Sterling is more Hispanic than neighboring Oak Grove (14.8% Hispanic), Dulles Town Center (16.1% Hispanic), Dranesville (7.2% Hispanic), Sugarland Run (33.7% Hispanic), and Herndon (34.6% Hispanic).

Sterling's Native American/Other Population

377 residents of Sterling, or 1.2% 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 Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Sterling ranks 202nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 39.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sterling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Sterling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Oak Grove (0% Native American/Other), Dranesville (0% Native American/Other), Sugarland Run (1.1% Native American/Other), and Herndon (0.2% Native American/Other). Sterling is less Native American/Other than neighboring Dulles Town Center (4.9% Native American/Other).

Sterling's Multiracial Population

519 residents of Sterling, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sterling is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Sterling ranks 424th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sterling's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 50.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Sterling's population has decreased from 3.5% to 1.6%.

Sterling is more Multiracial than neighboring Oak Grove (1.4% Multiracial). Sterling is less Multiracial than neighboring Dulles Town Center (5.4% Multiracial), Dranesville (4.8% Multiracial), Sugarland Run (3.6% Multiracial), and Herndon (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.