Sterling, IL Demographics

A map of Sterling's Population by Race

Sterling, Illinois had a population of 14,764 in 2020. It was 65.3% White, 2.7% Black, 1.0% Asian, 26.7% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American/Other, and 3.9% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Sterling, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Of the 1,466 places in Illinois, Sterling is the 163rd most populous. 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's White Population

9,644 residents of Sterling identify as White, or 65.3%. This makes the White share of the population of Sterling slightly larger than the White share of the population of Illinois (58.3% White). Of the 1,466 places in Illinois, Sterling is ranked #1269 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Sterling is less White than neighboring Rock Falls (74.4% White), Galt (87% White), Como (86% White), Nelson (85% White), and Coleta (86.8% White).

Sterling's Black Population

394 residents of Sterling identify as Black, or 2.7%. This makes the Black share of the population of Sterling slightly less than the Black share of the population of Illinois (13.9% Black). Of the 1,466 places in Illinois, Sterling is ranked #304 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Sterling is more Black than neighboring Rock Falls (1.9% Black), Galt (0% Black), Como (0.8% Black), Nelson (0.8% Black), and Coleta (0.6% Black).

Sterling's Asian Population

150 residents of Sterling identify as Asian, or 1.0%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Sterling roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Illinois (5.8% Asian). Of the 1,466 places in Illinois, Sterling is ranked #365 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Sterling is more Asian than neighboring Rock Falls (0.4% Asian), Galt (0% Asian), Como (0.9% Asian), Nelson (0% Asian), and Coleta (0% Asian).

Sterling's Hispanic Population

3,944 residents of Sterling identify as Hispanic, or 26.7%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Sterling slightly larger than the Hispanic share of the population of Illinois (18.2% Hispanic). Of the 1,466 places in Illinois, Sterling is ranked #83 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Sterling is more Hispanic than neighboring Rock Falls (17.3% Hispanic), Galt (9.8% Hispanic), Como (9.5% Hispanic), Nelson (3.9% Hispanic), and Coleta (9.6% Hispanic).

Sterling's Native American/Other Population

58 residents of Sterling identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.4%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Sterling roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Illinois (0.5% Native American/Other). Of the 1,466 places in Illinois, Sterling is ranked #616 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Sterling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Como (0.2% Native American/Other), and Nelson (0% Native American/Other). Sterling is less Native American/Other than neighboring Rock Falls (0.6% Native American/Other), Galt (0.5% Native American/Other), and Coleta (0.6% Native American/Other).

Sterling's Multiracial Population

574 residents of Sterling identify as Multiracial, or 3.9%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Sterling roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Illinois (3.2% Multiracial). Of the 1,466 places in Illinois, Sterling is ranked #552 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Sterling is more Multiracial than neighboring Galt (2.6% Multiracial), Como (2.7% Multiracial), and Coleta (2.4% Multiracial). Sterling is less Multiracial than neighboring Rock Falls (5.3% Multiracial), and Nelson (10.2% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.