City · Michigan
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Sterling Heights, city, in Macomb County, Michigan. Sterling Heights had 133,931 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 134,346 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 133,573 (±37). GEOID 2676460.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
133,931
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 134,346 · ACS 2020-2024: 133,573 ±37
Median household income
$79,909
±$3,056 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$274,300
±$4,071 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,292
±$51 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Sterling Heights and what county is it in?
Sterling Heights is a city in Macomb County, Michigan. It covers 36.4 square miles of land, 3,686 residents per square mile in 2020.
Sterling Heights is in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Sterling Heights, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 133,931 people lived in Sterling Heights on July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020 Census counted 134,346 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 133,573 (±37).
| Measure | Sterling Heights | Macomb County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 133,573 ±37 | 879,853 | +1,097 |
| Households | 51,736 ±1,021 | 358,668 | +1,654 |
| Average household size | 2.57 ±0.05 | 2.43 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 53,607 ±944 | 373,413 | +1,992 |
Sterling Heights's population since 2000
From 124,471 in 2000 to 133,931 in 2025: up 7.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Sterling Heights as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Sterling Heights?
The median resident of Sterling Heights is 41.7 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 19.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.2%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 9.2%. 28.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sterling Heights | Macomb County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 ±0.9 | 41.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.4% ±0.8 pts | 20.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.3% ±0.7 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Male | 48.8% ±0.9 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% ±0.6 pts | 3.2% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.2% ±1.3 pts | 74.1% | −5.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.4% ±0.8 pts | 12.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 9.2% ±1.1 pts | 5.1% | +1.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±0.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 28.0% ±1.4 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 35.2% ±1.7 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8% ±0.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| With a disability | 13.9% ±0.8 pts | 14.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7% ±0.9 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.9% ±1.0 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.1% ±1.4 pts | 27.7% | +2.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.4% ±0.8 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.5% ±1.1 pts | 91.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Sterling Heights earn?
Half of Sterling Heights's 51,736 households earn less than $79,909 a year (±$3,056), against $77,837 in Macomb County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $79,790 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sterling Heights | Macomb County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,909 ±$3,056 | $77,837 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $97,355 ±$2,639 | $98,851 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,084 ±$987 | $40,619 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1% ±1.1 pts | 10.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.1% ±2.7 pts | 14.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.9% ±1.3 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.8% ±0.8 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.9% ±0.9 pts | 93.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Sterling Heights?
Owners occupy 75.8% of Sterling Heights's occupied homes and renters 24.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $274,300 by its owner (±$4,071). The median renter pays $1,292 a month including utilities, and 44.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sterling Heights | Macomb County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $274,300 ±$4,071 | $243,900 | +$43,422 |
| Median gross rent | $1,292 ±$51 | $1,211 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.5% ±3.9 pts | 40.5% | +6.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,681 ±$34 | $1,628 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.8% ±1.4 pts | 75.0% | +2.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 24.2% ±1.4 pts | 25.0% | – |
| Housing units | 53,607 ±944 | 373,413 | +1,992 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0% ±1.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.9% ±1.6 pts | 68.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.9% ±0.5 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.9% ±0.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.1% ±1.1 pts | 6.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Sterling Heights building?
Builders took permits for 672 new housing units in Sterling Heights in 2025 (47 in single-family houses), 5.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.3 across Michigan.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Sterling Heights work and get to work?
72.6% of Sterling Heights's workers drive alone and 15.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.1%.
| Measure | Sterling Heights | Macomb County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.2% ±1.1 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% ±1.0 pts | 5.7% | +2.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.6% ±1.6 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5% ±1.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.7% ±1.5 pts | 13.4% | +13.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min ±0.5 | 26.3 min | −1.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Sterling Heights?
31 census tracts lie mostly in Sterling Heights (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $38,828 (Tract 2305.01) to $128,750 (Tract 2306.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2306.02Macomb County | 6,875 | $128,750 |
| Tract 2321Macomb County | 6,255 | $72,284 |
| Tract 2317Macomb County | 6,170 | $94,583 |
| Tract 2319Macomb County | 6,069 | $80,696 |
| Tract 2330Macomb County | 5,789 | $111,542 |
| Tract 2314Macomb County | 5,654 | $82,375 |
| Tract 2324Macomb County | 5,480 | $72,118 |
| Tract 2308Macomb County | 5,387 | $72,880 |
| Tract 2315Macomb County | 5,289 | $66,588 |
| Tract 2322Macomb County | 5,268 | $49,755 |
| Tract 2307Macomb County | 5,232 | $88,073 |
| Tract 2302Macomb County | 5,092 | $108,967 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Sterling Heights) · Census block assignment files
How does Sterling Heights compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Sterling Heights is the 219th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 4th-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Sterling Heights ranks 473rd of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 4th | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 813th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 44th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 473rd | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 588th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 300th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 184th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 557th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 368th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 801st | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 993rd | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 200th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 727th | 1,356 |
Sterling Heights's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Sterling Heights with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Sterling Heights?
3 of the 57 figures for Sterling Heights on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Sterling Heights are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Sterling Heights.