Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Sterling, CO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

13,172

Median Agei

37.7

Race & Ethnicityi

White

70.2%9,252

Hispanic/Latino

21.2%2,793

Black

4.3%560

Two or More

2.3%309

Asian

0.8%105

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.7%94

Other

0.4%59

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

14.1%1,364

High School Diploma

29.7%2,874

Some College (<1 yr)

6.2%603

Some College (1+ yr)

12.9%1,252

Associate's Degree

8.5%825

Bachelor's Degree

9.6%930

Master's Degree

5.1%497

Professional Degree

0.6%56

Doctorate

0.4%41

HS or Higher

87.1%

BA or Higher

15.7%

Graduate+

6.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$217,400

Median Renti

$1,031

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

55.9%2,805

Renter-Occupied

44.1%2,217

Total Units

5,290

Homeownership

55.9%

Vacancy Rate

5.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

9.3%260

$50K–$100K

6.5%181

$100K–$150K

13.5%379

$150K–$200K

13.3%373

$200K–$300K

35.4%992

$300K–$500K

18%504

$500K–$1M

2%56

$1M+

2.1%60

Rent Distribution

Under $500

222

$500–$750

233

$750–$1,000

416

$1,000–$1,250

566

$1,250–$1,500

166

$1,500–$2,000

252

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.8%42

2010–2019

1.5%80

2000–2009

4.9%257

1990–1999

6%315

1980–1989

7.8%414

1970–1979

17.4%923

1960–1969

12.4%658

1950–1959

21.5%1,135

1940–1949

7.2%379

1939 or earlier

20.5%1,087

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

68.9%3,461

Electricity

28.3%1,421

Bottled/LP Gas

1.4%71

Other

0.6%29

No Fuel

0.6%29

Wood

0.2%11

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$43,283

Mean Household Incomei

$56,160

Per Capita Incomei

$22,573

Poverty Ratei

15.9%

Unemploymenti

7.8%

Labor Forcei

6,013

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.2%464

$10K–$15K

5.1%257

$15K–$20K

5.4%273

$20K–$25K

6.2%312

$25K–$30K

4.2%213

$30K–$35K

5.6%283

$35K–$40K

9.9%495

$40K–$45K

7%350

$45K–$50K

5.9%296

$50K–$60K

7.1%355

$60K–$75K

8.3%419

$75K–$100K

12.8%641

$100K–$125K

2.9%144

$125K–$150K

3.9%195

$150K–$200K

5.1%256

$200K+

1.4%69

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

268

Residentsi

327

Avg. Tenant Renti

$352/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

6 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing110 homes82% occupied$367/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers26 homes77% occupied$434/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8130 homes78% occupied$322/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $43,283/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $13K/yr

86.2%

Very low income$13K–$22K/yr

13.8%

Who Receives This Housing

62.6% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

24% of subsidized households are minority

35.2% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

35% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

8666.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

432

Philippines

China

United Kingdom

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

5,389

Avg. Commutei

14.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

5,546

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

764(6.9% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.2%Insured

6.8%Uninsured