All Countries
Sterling, IL
Full City Profile · Illinois · Whiteside County County
3.0
/5.0
B
Good
14,670
Population
2,466/sq mi density
$52,647
Median Income
$35,146 per capita
$107,800
Home Value
$139,801 Zillow
$780
Median Rent
29.4% income on rent
49°F
Avg Temperature
275 sunny days/yr
179
Violent Crime/100K
3,384 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$52,647 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$107,800 home value, $780/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
179 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 40.5 inches. The area receives 31.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.4°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 677 ft (206 m) |
| Area | 5.9 sq mi (15.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,466/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7997°N, 89.6959°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Whiteside County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chicago/Rockford International (RFD) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 81.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.4 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.1 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (1.4").