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Sterling Heights, MI
Full City Profile · Michigan · Oakland County County
3.4
/5.0
B
Good
133,473
Population
3,662/sq mi density
$78,429
Median Income
$37,315 per capita
$260,700
Home Value
$301,210 Zillow
$1,267
Median Rent
32.2% income on rent
51°F
Avg Temperature
253 sunny days/yr
125
Violent Crime/100K
855 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$78,429 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$260,700 home value, $1,267/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
125 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Sterling Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches. The area receives 27.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 617 ft (188 m) |
| Area | 36.8 sq mi (95.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,662/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5812°N, 83.0303°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Oakland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oakland County International (PTK) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0451 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.3 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 16.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1952 | LAKE HURON, MI | Avalanche | 1.5 m | — | 77 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.7 in | |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.6 in |
Sterling Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 26°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (1.7").