Living in Sterling, Nebraska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sterling · Census data 2020–2024
Sterling has 717 residents with a median age of 42.4. The median household income is $70,313 (8% lower than the Nebraska median), the median home value is $130,400, the median rent is $830/month.
Sterling is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Sterling at a glance
- Population
- 717
- Median age
- 42.4State: 37.2
- Median household income
- $70,313State: $76,475
- Median home value
- $130,400State: $238,600
- Median rent
- $830/moState: $1,072
- Homeowners
- 77.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.8%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Sterling a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 45% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the Nebraska median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 11.6%.
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 $130,400, 61% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $830 per month, which is 19.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,168 a month in housing costs.
Sterling median household income
The median household income in Sterling is $70,313 and the income per person is $31,928. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Nebraska: 10.6%).
Housing in Sterling: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 294
- Owner-occupied
- 77.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 22.3%
- Vacant
- 8.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1942
- Average household size
- 2.67
Sterling demographics
- Population
- 717
- Median age
- 42.4
- Under 18
- 21.2%
- 65 and older
- 25%
- Households
- 269
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sterling ›
Education in Sterling
24.8% of adults 25 and older in Sterling have a bachelor's degree or higher (Nebraska: 34.6%), and 10.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sterling
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 3%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 2.9%
- Drive alone
- 73.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 8.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.4%
Sterling vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Sterling
Sterling ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sterling: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sterling, NE?
The median household income in Sterling is $70,313, 8% lower than the Nebraska median of $76,475 (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 $130,400, compared with $238,600 in Nebraska.
How much is rent in Sterling?
The median gross rent in Sterling is $830 per month, about 19.2% of household income.
Is Sterling, NE a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 45% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the Nebraska median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 11.6%.
What is the median age in Sterling?
The median age in Sterling is 42.4 years (Nebraska: 37.2).
How long is the commute in Sterling?
The average commute to work in Sterling is 24 minutes; 2.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sterling?
The unemployment rate in Sterling is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sterling?
24.8% 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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