Sterling, MI

Michigan

Sterling is a small town in Michigan with a population of 439. Residents earn $58,750 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
439 Population 448/sq mi density
$58,750 Median Income $26,161 per capita
$84,700 Home Value $161,006 Zillow
$771 Median Rent 18.3% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$58,750 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,700 home value, $771/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,750
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $84,700
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.2%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent $771
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.5%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.3%
65% lower than US avg

How Sterling Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population439
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density448/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans5.5%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,750
Per Capita$26,161
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty4.3%
County GDP$788M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,700
Rent$771
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$161,006
Housing Units182
Rent Burden18.3%

Health

Obesity38.5%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking18.5%
Depression30.4%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation744 ft (227 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.2%
High School+90.9%
Graduate+3.2%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute23 min
Broadband95.1%
Libraries4

Is Sterling a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sterling receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Sterling offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sterling is $58,750, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sterling is $84,700, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $771 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Sterling has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches, including 53.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Sterling has a population of 439 with a density of 448 people per square mile. The median age is 45.1 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.8%), with 2.5% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

439
Total Population
448
People / sq mi
45.1yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.1%
Female 54.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Sterling vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sterling vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sterling is $58,750, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Sterling vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,750
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,161
Avg Weekly Wage$821
IRS Avg AGI$51,845

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.3%
65% below US avg
Establishments (County)611
County GDP$788M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare71
Retail107
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,674
5% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.5 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit1.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sterling is $84,700, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $771 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $161,006.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,700
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$161,006

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$771
34% below US avg
Rent Burden18.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.7%
Housing Units182
Median Year Built1954

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,674
5% above US avg
Effective Rate4.34%
In Sterling, 38.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 18.5% are current smokers. 30.4% report depression. 25.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sterling vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.5%
20% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma12.4%
COPD8.6%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.5%
32% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity25.5%
Depression30.4%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress14.9%
Short Sleep32.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.6%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death11,752/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access45.8%
Healthcare Facilities71
Sterling has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.3°F
18% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall53.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation744 ft (227 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density448/sq mi
Coordinates44.0328°N, 84.0186°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26129
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 13.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (61% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42-point margin. 95.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.4%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 42 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.2%
61% below US avg
High School+90.9%
Graduate Degree+3.2%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density448/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.1%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities71
Restaurants60
Retail Stores107

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.5 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit1.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

Standish, MI 1,616 pop · 4.7 mi Skidway Lake, MI 2,800 pop · 11.3 mi Pinconning, MI 1,384 pop · 12.4 mi West Branch, MI 2,177 pop · 19.9 mi Gladwin, MI 3,081 pop · 23.5 mi Beaverton, MI 1,036 pop · 25.6 mi Tawas City, MI 1,654 pop · 29.4 mi St. Helen, MI 2,841 pop · 29.8 mi Auburn, MI 2,045 pop · 29.9 mi Midland, MI 42,461 pop · 30.1 mi Essexville, MI 3,344 pop · 30.4 mi Bay City, MI 32,445 pop · 31.3 mi East Tawas, MI 2,686 pop · 31.9 mi Coleman, MI 1,147 pop · 34.0 mi
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