Living in Sterling, Colorado
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sterling · Census data 2020–2024
Sterling has 13,172 residents with a median age of 37.7. The median household income is $43,283 (55% lower than the Colorado median), the median home value is $217,400, the median rent is $1,031/month.
Sterling at a glance
- Population
- 13,172
- Median age
- 37.7State: 37.7
- Median household income
- $43,283State: $95,470
- Median home value
- $217,400State: $539,400
- Median rent
- $1,031/moState: $1,761
- Homeowners
- 55.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.7%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Sterling a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 60% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 55% lower than the Colorado median; unemployment of 7.8%; a poverty rate of 19%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Sterling
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sterling the median home value is $217,400, 35% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,031 per month, which is 30.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,431 a month in housing costs.
Sterling median household income
The median household income in Sterling is $43,283 and the income per person is $22,573. 19% of residents live below the poverty line (Colorado: 9.4%).
Housing in Sterling: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,290
- Owner-occupied
- 55.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.1%
- Vacant
- 5.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 2.17
Sterling demographics
- Population
- 13,172
- Median age
- 37.7
- Under 18
- 16.2%
- 65 and older
- 19.1%
- Households
- 5,022
- Foreign-born
- 6.6%
- Veterans
- 6.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sterling ›
Education in Sterling
15.7% of adults 25 and older in Sterling have a bachelor's degree or higher (Colorado: 45.7%), and 6.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sterling
- Unemployment rate
- 7.8%State: 4.6%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 8.5%
- Drive alone
- 74.6%
- Public transit
- 3.5%
- Walk to work
- 4%
- Homes with broadband
- 83%
Sterling vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 13,172 | $43,283 | $217,400 | $1,031 |
| Iliff | 268 | $57,500 | $155,700 | $1,125 |
| Merino | 286 | $61,875 | $185,900 | $1,118 |
| Fleming | 614 | $52,143 | $170,300 | $952 |
| Peetz | 265 | $52,500 | $154,600 | $831 |
| Crook | 157 | $31,944 | $118,800 | $845 |
| Hillrose | 285 | $75,625 | $206,300 | $1,333 |
| Haxtun | 978 | $63,375 | $233,300 | $575 |
| Akron | 1,722 | $57,321 | $208,100 | $1,067 |
More for people moving to Sterling
Sterling ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sterling: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sterling, CO?
The median household income in Sterling is $43,283, 55% lower than the Colorado median of $95,470 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Sterling?
The median home value in Sterling is $217,400, compared with $539,400 in Colorado.
How much is rent in Sterling?
The median gross rent in Sterling is $1,031 per month, about 30.3% of household income.
Is Sterling, CO a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 60% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 55% lower than the Colorado median; unemployment of 7.8%; a poverty rate of 19%.
What is the median age in Sterling?
The median age in Sterling is 37.7 years (Colorado: 37.7).
How long is the commute in Sterling?
The average commute to work in Sterling is 15 minutes; 8.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sterling?
The unemployment rate in Sterling is 7.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sterling?
15.7% of adults in Sterling have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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