City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Sterling City, TX

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

1,173
Residents
$120,208
Median income
$127,600
Median home
$1,133
Median rent (state)

Sterling City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Sterling City lands in the 87th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

87th
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
📝 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 City, TX

1,173 people live in Sterling City, Texas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $120,208 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Typical homes in Sterling City are valued around $127,600, and the median resident age is 30.2 years. About 21.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 63.6°F with 20.4 inches of precipitation per year and 1.5 inches of snowfall.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,133 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Sterling City workers runs 26.2 minutes, with 80.1% driving alone and 5.9% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 1.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,173 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$120,208 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Sterling City compare to other US cities?

Where Sterling City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 87% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Sterling City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Texas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Texas-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Sterling City near the bottom of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Sterling City ranks #1,440 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sterling City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#139 of 1,520
91st percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#849 of 1,663
49th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#932 of 1,505
38th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#1,440 of 1,663
0th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#605 of 1,663
63rd percentile in Texas

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Texas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

87thIncome percentile

87th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Sterling City's home value compares nationally

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

$127,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% 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 City $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 City, TX Sterling City, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sterling City, TX-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 City, TX median $120,208/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 City, TX'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 City, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.7%

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

Population
1,173
Median Income
$120,208
Median Home Value
$127,600
Median Age
30.2
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
58.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.8%

Climate

Avg Temperature
63.6°F
Annual Precipitation
20.4"
Annual Snowfall
1.5"

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 →
1,080 residents1,100 residents1,120 residents1,140 residents1,160 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,120 residents 1,094 residents ▼ -2.3%
Sterling City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.2 minutes
Drive Alone
80.1%
Carpool
14.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
5.9%

Based on 457 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas 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 Texas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Sterling City sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,133/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
1.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Chico
1,174 people
Southwest Sandhill
1,174 people
Berryville
1,176 people
Miles
1,170 people
Von Ormy
1,177 people
Rice
1,168 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sterling City's 1,173 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Palo, IA
1,173 people
East Gull Lake, MN
1,173 people
Elm City, NC
1,173 people
Rossville, TN
1,173 people
Crocker, WA
1,173 people
Benwood, WV
1,173 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sterling City's $120,208 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Saybrook Manor, CT
$120,208 median income
Danwood, SC
$120,188 median income
Beckett Ridge, OH
$120,179 median income
Melvin, NH
$120,250 median income
New River, AZ
$120,279 median income
Slatedale, PA
$120,133 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sterling City, TX 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 City, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.7% 10.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 30.2% White 86.7% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 10.8% 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 City compares to nearby Texas 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 City (this city) 1,173 $120,208
Chico 1,174 $58,125
Southwest Sandhill 1,174 $71,618
Berryville 1,176 $64,028
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sterling City, TX?

What is the population of Sterling City, TX? +

The population of Sterling City, TX stands at 1,173 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sterling City, TX? +

Sterling City households earn a median of $120,208 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sterling City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sterling City; the closest available measure is the Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Sterling City, TX? +

Sterling City's median home value sits at $127,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sterling City? +

Climate normals put Sterling City's yearly average temperature at 63.6°F, 20.4 inches of precipitation, and 1.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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

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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.