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Sterling, AK
Full City Profile · Alaska · Anchorage Municipality County
3.5
/5.0
B+
Good
6,776
Population
87/sq mi density
$110,341
Median Income
$62,391 per capita
$346,100
Home Value
$335,867 Zillow
$1,095
Median Rent
14.5% income on rent
36°F
Avg Temperature
269 sunny days/yr
406
Violent Crime/100K
4,175 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$110,341 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$346,100 home value, $1,095/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
406 violent crimes/100K (7% above avg)
B+
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Sterling has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 269 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 23.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 35.7°F |
| 34% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 256 ft (78 m) |
| Area | 79.6 sq mi (206.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 87/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.5401°N, 150.8053°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Anchorage Municipality County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.36 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 4.5 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 11.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 60.0 m (197 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1967 | GREWINGK, AK | Meteorological | 60.0 m | — | 104 km |
| 2024 | PEDERSEN LAGOON, AK | Meteorological | 17.0 m | — | 89 km |
| 2022 | RESURRECTION BAY, AK | Meteorological | 0.1 m | — | 90 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Spurr (115 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Spurr | Stratovolcano | 3,374 m (11,070 ft) | 1992 | 115 km |
| Iliamna | Stratovolcano | 3,053 m (10,016 ft) | 1876 | 138 km |
| Augustine | Lava dome(s) | 1,252 m (4,108 ft) | 2006 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 35°F (2°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 3.2 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 15°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (1.3").