City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Sterling, KS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Sterling - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,396
Residents
$51,304
Median income
$130,200
Median home
$877
Median rent (state)

Sterling - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Sterling places in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 88th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
88th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Sterling, KS

2,396 people live in Sterling, Kansas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Sterling households earn a median of $51,304 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.6%. Home values in Sterling run a median of $130,200, and the median resident age is 27.7 years. About 36.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 4 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 300% from five years earlier. Sterling reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 437.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 55.5°F with 29.0 inches of precipitation per year and 9.3 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Kansas run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kansas scores 90.1 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $877 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kansas run around $217, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 20.3 minutes, with 69.2% driving alone and 6.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 28.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

2,396 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$51,304 /yr

Poverty 3.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Sterling compare to other US cities?

Sterling measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities
Safety 88% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Kansas, Sterling ranks #7 of 109 Kansas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Sterling's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Kansas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

22ndIncome percentile
88thSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 88th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sterling's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sterling's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 66 Avg. percentile National median
Sterling's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Sterling's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$130,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Sterling $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Sterling, KS Sterling, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sterling, KS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Sterling, KS median $51,304/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Sterling, KS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Sterling, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,396
Median Income
$51,304
Median Home Value
$130,200
Median Age
27.7
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor force participation
58.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
437.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
87.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
350.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
55.5°F
Annual Precipitation
29.0"
Annual Snowfall
9.3"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,220 residents2,240 residents2,260 residents2,280 residents2,300 residents2,320 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,243 residents 2,303 residents ▲ +2.7%
Sterling's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
3
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 2
2021 20
2022 18
2023 20
2024 4

Permit volume increased 300% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.3 minutes
Drive Alone
69.2%
Carpool
5.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
16.2%
Work from Home
6.5%
Other
2.9%

Based on 1,101 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kansas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$217
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kansas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kansas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Sterling sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$877/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
28.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Cheney
2,386 people
Halstead
2,435 people
Sabetha
2,326 people
Neodesha
2,311 people
Council Grove
2,487 people
Eureka
2,271 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sterling's 2,396 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Amboy, IL
2,396 people
Gold Bar, WA
2,396 people
Poydras, LA
2,395 people
Mendenhall, MS
2,397 people
Calabash, NC
2,397 people
Cedaredge, CO
2,394 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sterling's $51,304 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Glasgow, WV
$51,304 median income
Park Hills, MO
$51,303 median income
Jasmine Estates, FL
$51,301 median income
Lacy-Lakeview, TX
$51,301 median income
Rotan, TX
$51,307 median income
Camden, AR
$51,300 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sterling, KS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Sterling, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.3% White 89.0% Black or African American 4.2% Asian 0.3% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.1% Two or more races 5.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Sterling compares to nearby Kansas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Sterling (this city) 2,396 $51,304
Cheney 2,386 $75,263
Halstead 2,435 $68,750
Sabetha 2,326 $67,794
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sterling, KS?

What is the population of Sterling, KS? +

Sterling, KS counts 2,396 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sterling, KS? +

Median annual household income in Sterling runs $51,304, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sterling? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sterling; the closest available measure is the Kansas state average, a cost of living index of 90.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kansas vary by metro area.

Is Sterling, KS safe? +

Sterling has a total crime rate of 437.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Sterling, KS? +

The median home value in Sterling is $130,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sterling? +

Climate normals put Sterling's yearly average temperature at 55.5°F, 29.0 inches of precipitation, and 9.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.