All Countries
Sterling, KS
Full City Profile · Kansas · Rice County County
3.5
/5.0
B+
Good
2,396
Population
1,281/sq mi density
$51,304
Median Income
$24,712 per capita
$130,200
Home Value
$162,558 Zillow
$618
Median Rent
22.3% income on rent
56°F
Avg Temperature
326 sunny days/yr
137
Violent Crime/100K
1,459 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$51,304 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,200 home value, $618/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
137 violent crimes/100K
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Sterling enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 326 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 29.0 inches. The area receives 9.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 55.5°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,640 ft (500 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,281/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.2093°N, 98.2065°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Rice County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hutchinson Regional (HUT) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 28.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 0.9 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 31°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.6").