Sterling, OH

Ohio

Sterling is a small town in Ohio with a population of 236. Residents earn $53,558 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
236 Population 241/sq mi density
$53,558 Median Income $28,378 per capita
$117,400 Home Value $281,432 Zillow
$675 Median Rent 18.6% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$53,558 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$117,400 home value, $675/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,558
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $117,400
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.2%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $675
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.9%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.0%
76% lower than US avg

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

People

Population236
Median Age50.3 yrs
Density241/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans10.2%

Economy

A
Median Income$53,558
Per Capita$28,378
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty3.0%
County GDP$8,952M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$117,400
Rent$675
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$281,432
Housing Units159
Rent Burden18.6%

Health

Obesity40.9%
Uninsured9.7%
Smoking20.5%
Depression27.7%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.9 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation967 ft (295 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.2%
High School+89.0%
Graduate+2.5%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute25 min
Broadband100.0%
Libraries9

Is Sterling a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sterling receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. 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 $53,558, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sterling is $117,400, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $675 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sterling has a population of 236 with a density of 241 people per square mile. The median age is 50.3 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.5%), with 2.5% Hispanic.

Population

236
Total Population
241
People / sq mi
50.3yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.1%
Female 44.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Sterling vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sterling vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sterling is $53,558, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Sterling vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,558
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,378
Avg Weekly Wage$1,108
IRS Avg AGI$68,897

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.0%
76% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,024
County GDP$8,952M

Business (County)

Restaurants192
Healthcare244
Retail370
Manufacturing282

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,677
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Drive Alone71.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Sterling is $117,400, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $675 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $281,432.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$117,400
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$281,432

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$675
42% below US avg
Rent Burden18.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$873
2 Bedrooms$1,092
3 Bedrooms$1,388
4 Bedrooms$1,550

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.1%
Housing Units159
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,677
34% above US avg
Effective Rate3.98%
In Sterling, 40.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.7% of residents lack health insurance. 20.5% are current smokers. 27.7% report depression. 29.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.9%
27% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Asthma11.5%
COPD9.1%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.5%
46% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity29.5%
Depression27.7%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.3%
Short Sleep37.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Uninsured9.7%
13% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.2%
Dental Visits55.9%
Premature Death8,918/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access65.2%
Healthcare Facilities244
Sterling has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.9 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.9 inches
3% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation967 ft (295 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density241/sq mi
Coordinates40.9662°N, 81.8439°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS39169
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.3-point margin. 100.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.2%
D 29.9%

Winner: Republican by 39.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.2%
55% below US avg
High School+89.0%
Graduate Degree+2.5%
School Test Score5.90
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density241/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access100.0%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities244
Restaurants192
Retail Stores370

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Drive Alone71.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.1%

Nearby Cities

Creston, OH 2,246 pop · 3.0 mi Rittman, OH 6,033 pop · 3.1 mi Seville, OH 2,115 pop · 4.0 mi Westfield Center, OH 1,248 pop · 6.3 mi Wadsworth, OH 24,302 pop · 7.2 mi Smithville, OH 1,339 pop · 7.2 mi Doylestown, OH 3,052 pop · 7.7 mi Orrville, OH 8,361 pop · 8.9 mi Lodi, OH 2,757 pop · 10.0 mi Sharon Center, OH 1,237 pop · 10.5 mi Norton, OH 11,576 pop · 11.2 mi Wooster, OH 27,012 pop · 11.3 mi Clinton, OH 1,111 pop · 11.4 mi Medina, OH 26,040 pop · 11.7 mi
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