Living in Sterling, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sterling · Census data 2020–2024
Sterling has 448 residents with a median age of 44. The median household income is $61,563 (16% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $89,200, the median rent is $775/month.
Sterling is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Sterling at a glance
- Population
- 448
- Median age
- 44State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $61,563State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $89,200State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $775/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 87.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.5%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Sterling a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; a poverty rate of 11%.
Cons: Median household income 16% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Sterling
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sterling the median home value is $89,200, 73% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, which is 20.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $928 a month in housing costs.
Sterling median household income
The median household income in Sterling is $61,563 and the income per person is $27,230. 11% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Sterling: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 186
- Owner-occupied
- 87.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 12.3%
- Vacant
- 16.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1954
- Average household size
- 2.65
Sterling demographics
- Population
- 448
- Median age
- 44
- Under 18
- 19.9%
- 65 and older
- 17%
- Households
- 155
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 5.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sterling ›
Education in Sterling
15.5% of adults 25 and older in Sterling have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 5.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sterling
- Unemployment rate
- 6.1%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 7.3%
- Drive alone
- 83.4%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 2%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.2%
Sterling vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 448 | $61,563 | $89,200 | $775 |
| Standish | 1,554 | $35,395 | $97,900 | $689 |
| Omer | 283 | $51,000 | $97,700 | $785 |
| Skidway Lake | 3,008 | $39,265 | $59,100 | $699 |
| Twining | 192 | $44,271 | $85,000 | $905 |
| Prescott | 270 | $57,885 | $68,800 | $1,339 |
| Pinconning | 1,448 | $64,565 | $79,600 | $559 |
| Au Gres | 1,018 | $67,115 | $159,000 | $663 |
| Whittemore | 492 | $33,214 | $80,900 | $481 |
More for people moving to Sterling
Sterling ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sterling: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sterling, MI?
The median household income in Sterling is $61,563, 16% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (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 $89,200, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Sterling?
The median gross rent in Sterling is $775 per month, about 20.5% of household income.
Is Sterling, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; a poverty rate of 11%. Minuses: median household income 16% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.1%.
What is the median age in Sterling?
The median age in Sterling is 44 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Sterling?
The average commute to work in Sterling is 23 minutes; 7.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sterling?
The unemployment rate in Sterling is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sterling?
15.5% 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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