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Sterling, IL
Facts, statistics and data on population, demographics, income, economy, housing and education
Key Indicators
A quick look at key numbers
Population
14,717
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates
Median Age
42.6
years ∙ half population younger than 42.6, half older
Diversity Index
50.1%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Nativity
5.4%
foreign-born population
Geographic Context
Location, size, and surroundings
About
Sterling is a city within Whiteside County, Illinois, United States.
Co-ordinates
DEC41.799688° N, 89.695933° W
DMS41° 47′ 58.88″ N, 89° 41′ 45.36″ W
Population Density & area
2,473/sq mi
(955.6/km²)
Demographics & Living
Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition
Population Composition
Key characteristics of the population
Sex Distribution
49.7%
male
Male
49.7%
Female
50.3%
males per 100 females
Sterling
98.8
Whiteside County
99.6
Illinois
97.7
Nativity
5.4%
foreign-born population
% Foreign-born
Sterling
5.4%
Whiteside County
3%
Illinois
14.7%
Age Distribution
How the population is spread across age groups
Median Age
42.6
years ∙ half population younger than 42.6, half older
Dependency ratio
73.3
dependents per 100 working-age adults
Sterling
73.3
Whiteside County
77.7
Illinois
63.5
AGE DISTRIBUTION
Distribution of age group
Median age
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Group | |||
| Children (Under 18) | 20.4% | 22% | 21.8% |
| Working age (18-64) | 57.7% | 56.2% | 61.2% |
| Senior (65+) | 21.9% | 21.8% | 17% |
| Dependency ratio | |||
| Total dependency ratio | 73.3 | 77.7 | 63.5 |
| Child dependency ratio | 35.4 | 39 | 35.7 |
| Old-age dependency ratio | 37.9 | 38.7 | 27.8 |
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares
Race & Ethnicity
Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.
Diversity Index
50.1%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Sterling
50.1%
Whiteside County
32.6%
Illinois
60.5%
Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.
RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION
Race & Ethnicity
Percentage of Sterling population
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 26.8% | 13.3% | 18.8% |
| Mexican | 23.2% | 10.8% | 14.4% |
| Puerto Rican | 1.4% | 1.5% | 1.6% |
| Cuban | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Other Hispanic / Latino | 2% | 0.9% | 2.5% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 73.2% | 86.7% | 81.2% |
| One race | 69.2% | 83.1% | 77.8% |
| White | 65.2% | 80.9% | 58.1% |
| Black or African American | 2.2% | 1.2% | 13.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0% | 0% | 0.1% |
| Asian | 1.2% | 0.5% | 5.9% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Some Other Race | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 4% | 3.6% | 3.4% |
Household & Families Composition
Household size, type, and family structure
Household structure
56.6%
family
Family
56.6%
Non family
43.4%
% family households
Sterling
56.6%
Whiteside County
62.5%
Illinois
62.2%
Average household size
2.18
persons per household
Household & Family COMPOSITION
Households
Percentage of Sterling population
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 6,579 | 23,120 | 5,036,449 |
| Average houshold size | 2.18 | 2.33 | 2.46 |
| Family households | 3,723 | 14,461 | 3,130,978 |
| Average family size | 2.92 | 2.93 | 3.14 |
| Married couple family | 2,399 | 10,422 | 2,282,435 |
| Other families | 1,324 | 4,039 | 848,543 |
| Male householder | 379 | 1,197 | 248,521 |
| Female householder | 945 | 2,842 | 600,022 |
| Non-family households | 2,856 | 8,659 | 1,905,471 |
| One-person households | 2,586 | 7,622 | 1,569,881 |
| Male householder | 1,267 | 3,888 | 712,191 |
| Senior (65+) living alone | 564 | 1,470 | 210,051 |
| Female householder | 1,319 | 3,734 | 857,690 |
| Senior (65+) living alone | 740 | 2,211 | 417,870 |
| Other living arrangements | 270 | 1,037 | 335,590 |
Housing Profile
Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens
Total housing units
7,393
housing units
Sterling
7,393
Whiteside County
25,837
Illinois
5,457,452
Occupancy status
89%
occupied
Occupied
89%
Vacant
11%
vacancy rate
Sterling
11%
Whiteside County
10.5%
Illinois
7.7%
Housing Characteristics
How the housing supply is structured and used
Types of Housing unit
72.4%
Single family houses
Median Year Built
1957
Half of houses were built before 1957, and half after.
Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.
Housing Characteristics
Units, rooms & bedrooms
Physical characteristics of housing units
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooms per unit | |||
| Median rooms | 5.4 | 5.9 | 5.6 |
| 1–3 rooms | 9.8% | 8.7% | 14.6% |
| 4–6 rooms | 60.9% | 53% | 50.9% |
| 7+ rooms | 29.2% | 38.3% | 34.6% |
| Bedrooms | |||
| No bedroom / studio | 3.5% | 2% | 3.1% |
| 1 bedroom | 7.8% | 7.8% | 11.5% |
| 2 bedrooms | 36% | 28.3% | 27.7% |
| 3 bedrooms | 39% | 42.9% | 35.8% |
| 4+ bedrooms | 13.7% | 19.1% | 21.7% |
| At a glance | |||
| Median year built | 1957 | 1962 | 1971 |
| Total housing units | 7,393 | 25,837 | 5,457,452 |
Occupancy Profile
Who is inside and how they use it
Homeownership
65.1%
owners
Renter-occupied
34.9%
Owner-occupied
65.1%
homeownership rate
Sterling
65.1%
Whiteside County
76.9%
Illinois
67.1%
Average household size
2.4
Owner-occupied
1.77
Renter-occupied
owner-occupied average size
Sterling
2.4
Whiteside County
2.41
Illinois
2.62
Housing Characteristics
Occupied unit characteristics
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total occupied units | 6,579 | 23,120 | 5,036,449 |
| Year moved in | |||
| 2020 or later | 15.3% | 15.4% | 23.3% |
| 2010 to 2019 | 46.1% | 40.8% | 38.1% |
| 2000 to 2009 | 14.2% | 16.7% | 17.3% |
| 1999 or earlier | 24.4% | 27.1% | 21.3% |
| Occupants per room | |||
| 1.00 or fewer | 97.5% | 98.8% | 97.5% |
| 1.01 to 1.50 | 2% | 0.9% | 1.6% |
| 1.51 or more | 0.5% | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Vehicles availability | |||
| No vehicles | 9.2% | 5.8% | 11% |
| 1 vehicle | 41.9% | 33.4% | 35.7% |
| 2 vehicles | 32.6% | 37.5% | 35.1% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 16.3% | 23.2% | 18.3% |
| House heating fuel used | |||
| Gas | 80% | 84.1% | 79.5% |
| Electricity | 19.6% | 14% | 18.6% |
| Solar | 0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene etc | 0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| All other fuels | 0.1% | 1.5% | 0.8% |
| No fuel used | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Selected characteristics | |||
| Lacking complete plumbing | 1.3% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Lacking complete kitchen | 2.2% | 1.1% | 0.8% |
| No telephone service available | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
Housing Value
What owner-occupied units are worth
Median home value
$108,700
owner-occupied units
Housing Cost Burden
17.9%
of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened
Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.
Financial characteristics
Property value and housing costs
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property value | |||
| Median Value | $108,700 | $127,100 | $263,300 |
| Under $100,000 | 42.4% | 33.7% | 13.7% |
| $100,000 - $200,000 | 46.2% | 42% | 21.5% |
| $200,000 - $300,000 | 8.5% | 16% | 22.3% |
| $300,000 - $500,000 | 2.9% | 6.5% | 27.7% |
| $500,000 - $1,000,000 | 0% | 1.3% | 12.1% |
| $1,000,000 and more | 0% | 0.6% | 2.7% |
| Owner-occupied households | |||
| With a mortgage | 53.5% | 54.8% | 60.8% |
| Without a mortgage | 46.5% | 45.2% | 39.2% |
| Median monthly owner costs | |||
| With a mortgage | $1,147 | $1,216 | $1,987 |
| Without a mortgage | $518 | $547 | $792 |
| Gross rent | |||
| Median rent | $859 | $856 | $1,274 |
Education Profile
How educated is the community and how education pays off
Adults with a college degree
21.1%
of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Sterling
21.1%
Whiteside County
20.5%
Illinois
37.8%
Adults without a high school diploma
7.2%
of adults (25+) without a high school diploma
Sterling
7.2%
Whiteside County
8.1%
Illinois
9.6%
School Enrollment
Who is enrolled in school and at what level
School enrollment
3,234
population (age 3+) enrolled in school
College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)
30.2%
of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school
Enrollment & school type
Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split
Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total enrolled (age 3+) | 3,234 | 12,117 | 3,051,569 |
| Nursery / preschool | 8.8% | 9.1% | 6.3% |
| K–12 | 68.7% | 73.2% | 67.3% |
| Kindergarten | 6.7% | 4.7% | 4.9% |
| Elementary: Grades 1–4 | 20.4% | 21.9% | 19.5% |
| Elementary: Grades 5–8 | 18% | 22.7% | 20.8% |
| High School: Grades 9–12 | 23.6% | 23.9% | 22.1% |
| College or graduate school | 22.5% | 17.7% | 26.4% |
| College, undergraduate | 19.3% | 14.6% | 19.8% |
| Graduate, professional school | 3.2% | 3.1% | 6.6% |
| College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds | 30.2% | 24.2% | 41.4% |
| School type | |||
| Public school | 86.7% | 88.5% | 80.5% |
| Private school | 13.3% | 11.5% | 19.5% |
Education Attainment by Level & Gender
What is the highest level of education completed among adults
Education attainment
10,263
population 25 years and over
Attainment by gender
Male vs Female
Adults (25+) · Share within each education level
Educational Attainment Overview
Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)
Highest credential completed · adults 25+
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (25+) | 10,263 | 38,673 | 8,767,004 |
| Less than 9th grade | 3.2% | 3.2% | 4.6% |
| 9th–12th, no diploma | 4% | 4.9% | 5% |
| High school diploma or GED | 38% | 37.4% | 25.1% |
| Some college, no degree | 23.6% | 22.9% | 19.2% |
| Associate's degree | 10.1% | 11.1% | 8.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 20.5% | 37.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 12% | 12.8% | 22.6% |
| Graduate or professional | 9.1% | 7.7% | 15.3% |
| High School or higher | 92.8% | 91.9% | 90.5% |
Earnings by education level
percentage as applicable
Median Earnings
$44,183
Median earnings for adults 25+, by level
Poverty Rate
7.6%
for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher
Outcomes by Education Level
Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)
Adults 25+
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median earnings | |||
| Population 25+, with earnings | $44,183 | $46,426 | $55,582 |
| Less than high school graduate | $23,056 | $33,938 | $34,655 |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | $33,088 | $40,376 | $40,965 |
| Some college or associate's degree | $43,117 | $44,468 | $47,813 |
| Bachelor's degree | $57,389 | $60,397 | $73,326 |
| Graduate or professional degree | $70,653 | $70,640 | $91,623 |
| Poverty rates | |||
| Less than high school graduate | 21.7% | 23.2% | 21.6% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 12.8% | 10.6% | 14.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 10.6% | 9% | 9.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7.6% | 4% | 4.5% |
Economy & Employment
Jobs, industries, and workforce at a glance
Labor Force
Who is working, looking for work, and participating in the economy
Adult Population (16+)
12,063
residents 16 years and over
Sterling
12,063
Whiteside County
44,241
Illinois
10,264,353
Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP)
60.2%
of residents age 16+ are employed
Sterling
60.2%
Whiteside County
59.1%
Illinois
61%
Note: The Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is currently employed. Higher values indicate a larger proportion of residents holding jobs.
Labor Force Composition
Age and demographic makeup of the labor force
Median Age of Workers (16–64)
39.9
years ∙ half are younger than 39.9, half older
Note: Median worker age is based on adults age 16–64 who worked in the past 12 months.
Male-Female Labor Force Split
51.3%
male
Male
51.3%
Female
48.7%
Female Share of Labor Force (%)
Sterling
48.7
Whiteside County
46.8
Illinois
47.6
Labor force composition
Age and Gender Composition of the Labor Force (16+) in Sterling
How the labor force age 16 and over is distributed across age groups and gender.
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total labor force | 7,546 | 27,368 | 6,674,020 |
| Age distribution | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 4.9% | 4.8% | 4.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 12.3% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 25 to 29 years | 9.3% | 9.5% | 10.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 9.5% | 10.2% | 11.2% |
| 35 to 44 years | 20.4% | 19.4% | 21.7% |
| 45 to 54 years | 19.3% | 20.7% | 19.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 11% | 10.4% | 9.3% |
| 60 to 64 years | 6% | 8.5% | 7.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 5.8% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| 75 years and over | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.9% |
| Gender composition | |||
| Male | 51.3% | 53.2% | 52.4% |
| Female | 48.7% | 46.8% | 47.6% |
Labor Force Participation
How much of the working-age population is active in the labor force?
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
62.6%
of adults age 16+ are in the labor force
Note: The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Participation Gap · Male vs Female
65.5%
of males age 16+ are in the labor force
59.7%
of females age 16+ are in the labor force
Female LFPR (%)
Sterling
59.7%
Whiteside County
57.3%
Illinois
60.7%
Note: LFPR measures the share of the male or female population age 16+ that is working or looking for work.
AGE & GENDER LFPR
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Sterling
Share of residents age 16+ working or seeking work, by age group, gender and race
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LFPR by age group | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 51.5% | 53.1% | 41.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 86.1% | 82.8% | 76.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 94.8% | 88.3% | 85.3% |
| 30 to 34 years | 84% | 87.8% | 85.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 85.8% | 86.1% | 85.7% |
| 45 to 54 years | 77.8% | 84.7% | 83.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 82.9% | 80.1% | 76.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 57.4% | 55.6% | 60.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 24.4% | 23.2% | 27.5% |
| 75 years and over | 8% | 7% | 7.1% |
| LFPR by gender | |||
| Male | 65.5% | 66.6% | 69.5% |
| Female | 59.7% | 57.3% | 60.7% |
| LFPR by race, ethnicity | |||
| White | 61% | 60.9% | 64.2% |
| Black or African American | 80.8% | 58.9% | 60.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 56.4% | 78.7% | 71.4% |
| Asian | 82.8% | 77.9% | 67.9% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | 0% | 68.8% |
| Some Other Race | 84.9% | 83.1% | 70.2% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 55.1% | 61% | 70.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 72% | 70.6% | 70.8% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Labor Force Status
Employment, unemployment, and labor force conditions
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
of the civilian labor force age 16+ is unemployed
Note: Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.
UNEMPLOYMENT GAP · MALE VS FEMALE
6.2%
of males age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
1.3%
of females age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
male unemployment rate
Sterling
6.2%
Whiteside County
4.9%
Illinois
6%
Note: Male and female unemployment rates measure the share of each group's civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed and seeking work.
CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Unemployment Rate in Sterling
Share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed, by age group, gender and race
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| By age group | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 10.8% | 12% | 15% |
| 20 to 24 years | 4.7% | 9.9% | 10.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 6.7% | 9.3% | 6.8% |
| 30 to 34 years | 0.6% | 2.4% | 5.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 3.1% | 3.4% | 4.7% |
| 45 to 54 years | 0.1% | 1.9% | 4.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 8.6% | 3.2% | 4.5% |
| 60 to 64 years | 4.2% | 2.2% | 4.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 2.5% | 2.6% | 4.4% |
| 75 years and over | 0% | 0% | 3.7% |
| By gender | |||
| Male | 6.2% | 4.9% | 6% |
| Female | 1.3% | 3.7% | 5.7% |
| By race, ethnicity | |||
| White | 4% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Black or African American | 0% | 1.2% | 12.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 2.3% | 0.6% | 5.9% |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.8% | 4.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | —% | 3.4% |
| Some Other Race | 2.3% | 2.9% | 6.5% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 4.1% | 8.5% | 6.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3.7% | 4.3% | 6.2% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2.Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.
Job Market
Where residents work, what types of employers they work for, and how they commute
Total employed population
7,260
employed residents 16 years and over
Employed population
Sterling
7,260
Whiteside County
26,161
Illinois
6,263,764
Note: Total employed population refers to the civilian employed population age 16 and over, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Full-time employment rate
66%
of employed residents 16 and older
Full-time employment (%)
Sterling
66%
Whiteside County
71%
Illinois
72%
Note: Total full-time employed population refers to civilians age 16 and over working full time throughout the year, excluding part-time workers.
Industries
The industries that employ Sterling, IL workforce and shape the local economy
Top Industry
About 1 in 6 workers
are employed in Manufacturing
Top 3 Industries
% of total workers
Manufacturing
16.3%
Health care and social assistance
16.2%
Retail trade
13.6%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Top industry by gender
Male
Manufacturing employs the most men — 20.7% of 3,629 employed male workers
Female
Health care and social assistance employs the most women — 25.1% of 3,631 employed female workers
Note: Percentages reflect the share of employed males or females age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Industries Distribution Table
Employment Distribution by Industries in Sterling
Share of employed residents 16 and older · by industry
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total employed population | 7,260 | 26,161 | 6,263,764 |
| Agriculture and mining | |||
| Agriculture | 1.3% | 2.4% | 0.9% |
| Mining and logging | 0% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Construction | 4.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Manufacturing | 16.3% | 20.6% | 11.5% |
| Wholesale trade | 2.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% |
| Retail trade | 13.6% | 12.2% | 10.3% |
| Transportation and utilities | |||
| Transportation and warehousing | 5.1% | 5% | 6.3% |
| Utilities | 0.8% | 1.4% | 0.7% |
| Information | 0.4% | 0.7% | 1.7% |
| Financial activities | |||
| Finance and Insurance | 2.6% | 3% | 5.8% |
| Real estate and leasing | 0.4% | 0.7% | 1.6% |
| Professional and business services | |||
| Professional and technical services | 5.3% | 3.5% | 8.8% |
| Corporate management | 0% | 0% | 0.1% |
| Administrative and waste services | 3% | 3% | 4% |
| Education and health services | |||
| Educational services | 8.3% | 8.2% | 9.7% |
| Health care and social assistance | 16.2% | 15.9% | 13.8% |
| Leisure and hospitality | |||
| Arts and recreation | 2.2% | 1.3% | 1.9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 7.4% | 4.8% | 6.3% |
| Other services | 3.8% | 3.9% | 4.6% |
| Government | 7.1% | 5% | 3.8% |
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Type of Employer
Whether residents work for private companies, government agencies, or are self-employed
Employment by employer type
76.6%
Private
Government
18.4%
Private Employment
76.6%
Self Employed
5%
Private employment (%)
Sterling
76.6%
Whiteside County
76.9%
Illinois
77.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed.
Self-employed workers
5%
of the workers are self-employed
Category
% of total workers
Incorporated business
1.1%
Unincorporated business
3.9%
Unpaid family workers
0%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of self-employed and unpaid family workers within the civilian employed population age 16+, excluding private-sector and government employees.
Percentages are rounded for readability and may not add up.
Type of employer
Employment distribution by employer type in Sterling
Share of employed population 16 and older · by class of worker
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private wage & salary | 76.6% | 76.9% | 77.7% |
| For-profit company employees | 66.4% | 67.4% | 68.1% |
| Not-for-profit employees | 10.2% | 9.4% | 9.7% |
| Self-employed | 5% | 7.9% | 9% |
| Incorporated business | 1.1% | 2.7% | 4.1% |
| Unincorporated business | 3.9% | 5.1% | 4.7% |
| Unpaid family workers | 0% | 0% | 0.2% |
| Government | 18.4% | 15.3% | 13.3% |
| Local government | 10.3% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| State government | 6.2% | 3.6% | 3.4% |
| Federal government | 1.9% | 1.7% | 2% |
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Commute & Job Access
How residents commute to work and how long their daily travel takes
Work From Home Rate
5.8%
WFH
Work from home
5.8%
Commute to work
94.2%
Working from home (%)
Sterling
5.8%
Whiteside County
6.1%
Illinois
15.9%
Note: Percentages reflect workers age 16+ by work commute type, including those working from home and those commuting to a workplace.
Travel Time to Work
18.1 minutes
mean one-way travel time for commuters
Mean travel time (minutes)
Sterling
18.1
Whiteside County
20.3
Illinois
27.8
Note: Mean travel time measures the average one-way commute in minutes for employed residents 16+ who commute to work. It excludes those who worked from home.
Commute Patterns
Means of transportation and travel time to work in Sterling
Employed residents 16+.
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total employed population | 7,260 | 26,161 | 6,263,764 |
| Worked from home | 5.8% | 6.1% | 15.9% |
| Drove Alone | 78.6% | 80.8% | 65.9% |
| Carpooled | 8.1% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| Public transportation | 0.3% | 0.3% | 5.8% |
| Walked | 4.6% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Bicycle, taxi & other means | 2.6% | 1.5% | 1.9% |
| Commuting population | 6,695 | 23,946 | 5,176,936 |
| Mean travel time (minutes) | 18.1 | 20.3 | 27.8 |
| Less than 5 minutes | 9.4% | 7.1% | 3.1% |
| 5 to 14 minutes | 48.2% | 38.9% | 21.8% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 25.6% | 32.8% | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 7.4% | 10.6% | 22.3% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.3% | 4.9% | 10% |
| 60 to 89 minutes | 4.1% | 2.9% | 7.2% |
| 90 minutes or more | 2.1% | 2.9% | 2.5% |
Note: Means of transportation distribution shows the share of employed residents 16+ by how they primarily get to work. Travel time distribution and mean travel time are calculated only for commuting residents — those who did not work from home. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Wages & Earnings
What employed residents earn — by industry, occupation, and type of employer
Median Earnings
$47,230
median annual earnings · full-time year-round workers
Median annual earnings
Sterling
$47,230
Whiteside County
$52,214
Illinois
$65,575
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older. Part-time and part-year workers are excluded.
Gender earnings gap
95 ¢
per $1 earned by men
women earning per $1 earned by male
Sterling
95¢
Whiteside County
78¢
Illinois
81¢
Note: Gender earnings gap measures how much women earn for every $1 earned by men, among full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older.
Top Earnings By industry
How median earnings vary across the industries where Sterling, IL workers are employed
Highest-paying industry
$119,167
Workers in Professional and technical services report the highest median earnings
Top Industries
Median annual earnings
Professional and technical services
$119,167
Government
$71,618
Finance and Insurance
$63,382
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, based on the worker's industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Highest-paying industry by gender
Male
Men working in Professional and technical services earn the highest median earnings — $120,027, compared to $48,529 for all employed men
Female
Women working in Government earn the highest median earnings — $51,250, compared to $46,250 for all employed women
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry and gender.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Earnings Distribution Table
Earnings by industry in Sterling
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by industry
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Earnings | $47,230 | $52,214 | $65,575 |
| Agriculture and mining | |||
| Agriculture | $— | $58,318 | $54,552 |
| Mining and logging | $— | $59,861 | $79,153 |
| Construction | $55,513 | $61,399 | $69,748 |
| Manufacturing | $47,635 | $56,648 | $65,309 |
| Wholesale trade | $44,365 | $52,454 | $68,228 |
| Retail trade | $36,250 | $43,726 | $47,237 |
| Transportation and utilities | |||
| Transportation and warehousing | $48,977 | $56,074 | $60,707 |
| Utilities | $— | $108,113 | $101,662 |
| Information | $— | $60,833 | $84,305 |
| Financial activities | |||
| Finance and Insurance | $63,382 | $66,654 | $91,652 |
| Real estate and leasing | $— | $63,438 | $70,473 |
| Professional and business services | |||
| Professional and technical services | $119,167 | $73,808 | $99,457 |
| Corporate management | $— | $— | $104,709 |
| Administrative and waste services | $48,333 | $39,554 | $48,943 |
| Education and health services | |||
| Educational services | $49,464 | $51,000 | $65,548 |
| Health care and social assistance | $45,814 | $44,417 | $60,191 |
| Leisure and hospitality | |||
| Arts and recreation | $— | $23,809 | $53,253 |
| Accommodation and food services | $24,127 | $24,647 | $37,219 |
| Other services | $36,667 | $47,171 | $51,852 |
| Government | $71,618 | $67,969 | $82,226 |
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Top Earnings By Employer Type
How median earnings vary depending on whether residents work for private businesses, government agencies, or are self-employed
Highest-paying employer type
$92,527
Workers in Own unincorporated business roles report the highest median earnings
Top employer types
Median annual earnings
Own unincorporated business
$92,527
State government
$70,343
Local government
$53,421
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Highest-paying employer type by gender
Male
Men in State government roles earn the highest median earnings — $71,936, compared to $48,529 for all employed men
Female
Women in Local government roles earn the highest median earnings — $52,226, compared to $46,250 for all employed women
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by employer type and gender.
Earnings by employer type
Earnings by employer type in Sterling
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by employer type
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private wage & salary | |||
| For-profit company employees | $45,825 | $52,160 | $64,241 |
| Not-for-profit employees | $45,902 | $45,006 | $66,448 |
| Self-employed | |||
| Incorporated business | $— | $53,468 | $75,243 |
| Unincorporated business | $92,527 | $53,702 | $48,242 |
| Government | |||
| Local government | $53,421 | $57,125 | $70,623 |
| State government | $70,343 | $70,931 | $69,277 |
| Federal government | $11,989 | $52,868 | $78,457 |
Note: Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Top Earnings By Occupations
How median earnings vary across the occupations Sterling, IL workers hold
Highest-paying occupation
$168,750
Workers in Legal occupation report the highest median earnings
Top occupation groups
Median annual earnings
Legal
$168,750
Management
$93,712
Law enforcement
$79,706
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Highest-paying occupation by gender
Male
Among employed men, workers in Business and finance occupations earn the highest median earnings — $119,063 versus $48,529 overall
Female
Among employed women, workers in Doctors, nurses and medical professionals occupations earn the highest median earnings — $74,766 versus $46,250 overall
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group and gender.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Earnings by occupation
Earnings by occupation in Sterling
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by occupation
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median earnings(Total) | $47,230 | $52,214 | $65,575 |
| Management and business | |||
| Management | $93,712 | $83,750 | $101,188 |
| Business and finance | $73,203 | $73,271 | $89,539 |
| Technology and science | |||
| Computer and math | $61,667 | $61,726 | $105,993 |
| Architecture and engineering | $48,481 | $81,429 | $98,682 |
| Sciences | $62,102 | $60,820 | $80,320 |
| Education, legal, and arts | |||
| Community and Social Service | $58,750 | $46,493 | $58,871 |
| Legal | $168,750 | $86,895 | $121,674 |
| Education, Training and Library | $51,218 | $50,977 | $64,259 |
| Arts, design and media | $— | $48,583 | $68,411 |
| Healthcare | |||
| Doctors, Nurses & Medical Professionals | $74,766 | $71,649 | $90,854 |
| Health technicians | $44,688 | $48,821 | $55,100 |
| Healthcare support | $40,222 | $35,346 | $37,977 |
| Protective Service | |||
| Firefighting and emergency services | $24,087 | $29,600 | $58,469 |
| Law enforcement | $79,706 | $78,603 | $90,691 |
| Other services | |||
| Food preparation and serving | $26,797 | $31,484 | $32,384 |
| Building and grounds cleaning | $39,464 | $32,639 | $38,461 |
| Personal care and service | $21,286 | $21,794 | $35,797 |
| Sales and office | |||
| Sales | $31,901 | $46,610 | $63,665 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $37,153 | $42,845 | $50,140 |
| Trades and natural resources | |||
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $— | $56,176 | $43,416 |
| Construction and extraction | $61,635 | $60,893 | $66,484 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $43,000 | $56,101 | $62,306 |
| Production and transportation | |||
| Production | $45,609 | $49,400 | $49,771 |
| Transportation | $57,775 | $59,517 | $59,924 |
| Material moving | $34,766 | $47,371 | $40,369 |
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Income & Financial Security
Earnings, income distribution, and economic pressure points
Household Income
What households earn, where income comes from, and how household structure shapes earnings
Median Household Income
$57,350
Median household income in Sterling
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Sterling,
including family and non-family households.
2. Median household income represents the midpoint of household incomes,
with half of households earning more and half earning less.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Per capita income
$36,040
Per capita income in Sterling
Note:
1. Based on income across all residents in Sterling, per capita income represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing total income by the total population, including adults and children.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income level
How household income, per-capita income, and local earnings compare to broader benchmarks
Mean Household Income
$79,140
Average household income in Sterling
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Sterling, including family and non-family households, mean household income is the average of all household incomes and is often higher than the median due to the influence of higher-income households.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Mean vs median household income
$79,140
Mean household income
$57,350
Median household income
Mean-median gap (USD)
Sterling
$21,790
Whiteside County
$19,092
Illinois
$32,248
Note:
1. A larger mean-median gap indicates greater income inequality, as it generally signals a wider concentration of income at the upper end of the distribution.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Level
Household and per capita income in Sterling
Household, family, non-family, and per-capita income measures compared across Sterling and peer geographies.
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 6,579 | 23,120 | 5,036,449 |
| Median household income | $57,350 | $67,500 | $83,390 |
| Mean household income | $79,140 | $86,592 | $115,638 |
| Mean-median gap | $21,790 | $19,092 | $32,248 |
| Family households | 3,723 | 14,461 | 3,130,978 |
| Median family income | $76,516 | $86,228 | $106,018 |
| Mean family income | $97,814 | $102,741 | $139,698 |
| Mean-median gap | $21,298 | $16,513 | $33,680 |
| Non-family households | 2,856 | 8,659 | 1,905,471 |
| Median non-family income | $35,385 | $38,737 | $50,093 |
| Mean non-family income | $49,980 | $53,468 | $71,668 |
| Mean-median gap | $14,595 | $14,731 | $21,575 |
| Other Benchmarks | |||
| Per capita income | $36,040 | $37,312 | $46,406 |
Note:
1. Household, family, and non-family income measures are based on their respective household types.
2. Per capita income is based on all residents and represents total income divided by the total population, including adults and children.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income sources
Where household income comes from, including wages, retirement income, and public assistance
Households with earnings
71.2%
of households have wages, salaries, or self-employment income
Note: Includes households where at least one member received wages, salaries, or net self-employment income during the year.
Transfer income dependency
Social Security
34.6% of households (2,278) receive Social Security income, with an average annual benefit of $23,908
SSI (disability)
6.2% of households (407) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an average annual benefit of $11,517
Cash Assistance
1.7% of households (112) receive cash public assistance income, with an average annual amount of $11,517
SNAP / Food Stamps
16.3% of households (1,074) receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Note: Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Sources
Income sources for households in Sterling
Share of households receiving each income type
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 6,579 | 23,120 | 5,036,449 |
| Wage-based income | |||
| With earnings | 71% | 71% | 78% |
| Retirement and disability income | |||
| Social security | 35% | 38% | 29% |
| Average social security income | $23,908 | $24,656 | $24,173 |
| Retirement income | 32% | 34% | 24% |
| Average retirement income | $28,460 | $28,536 | $36,075 |
| SSI (Supplemental security) | 6% | 5% | 5% |
| Average SSI income | $11,517 | $11,601 | $11,482 |
| Public assistance | |||
| SNAP / food stamps | 16% | 14% | 14% |
| Cash assistance | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Note:
1. Percentages reflect the share of households receiving each income type during the year.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive; households may receive more than one income type.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by household type
How income levels vary across different household and family structures
Median income by household type
$76,516
Family households earn $76,516, compared to $35,385 for those living alone or with non-relatives.
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Median income by family type
$96,979
Married-couple families earn $96,979, compared to $50,729 for single-parent and other family types.
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types include single-parent households and families headed by a householder with no spouse present.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income By Household Type
Median income by household and family size in Sterling
Median household and family income by household size in Sterling, compared with peer geographies.
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 6,579 | 23,120 | 5,036,449 |
| Household income by size | |||
| 1-person | $31,729 | $35,727 | $43,493 |
| 2-person | $79,255 | $79,958 | $93,659 |
| 3-person | $85,515 | $97,054 | $111,952 |
| 4-person | $92,528 | $109,665 | $130,868 |
| 5-person | $141,129 | $95,769 | $122,967 |
| 6-person | $— | $85,688 | $122,158 |
| 7-person or more | $136,705 | $195,455 | $126,574 |
| Total families | 3,723 | 14,461 | 3,130,978 |
| Family income by size | |||
| 2-person | $74,375 | $77,376 | $91,001 |
| 3-person | $66,974 | $95,662 | $109,163 |
| 4-person | $76,964 | $107,351 | $132,343 |
| 5-person | $141,149 | $87,941 | $123,440 |
| 6-person | $— | $85,819 | $123,254 |
| 7-person or more | $136,875 | $174,306 | $123,819 |
Note:
1. Household and family size includes all people living in the unit.
2. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Distribution
How income is distributed across households and how evenly earnings are shared
Income Concentration
49.6%
of all household income is held by the top 20% of households
Bottom 20%
3.22%
of all household income
Top 20%
49.6%
of all household income
Key insights
- The top fifth of households earn almost half of all income in the area. The bottom fifth hold just 3.22% — meaning the top 20% hold 15 times the income share of the bottom 20%.
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
The Top 5%
$356,978
is the average income among the top 5% of households
Bottom 40% combined
11.99%
of all household income
Top 5% alone
22.55%
of all household income
Key insights
- The top 5% of households earn an average of $356,978 and hold 22.55% of all household income — far more than the entire bottom 40% of households combined, who hold just 11.99%
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. The top 5% threshold represents the minimum income needed to rank among the highest-earning 5% of households. Average income figures reflect the mean within each group.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income ranges
The distribution of households across income ranges and how the local profile compares
Income Distribution
Note:
1. Income ranges reflect gross household income before taxes. Percentages reflect the share of all households falling within each range.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Households earning $100K or more
26.2%
of all households, 1,719 in total, earn $100,000 or more
% $100k+
Sterling
26.2%
Whiteside County
32.1%
Illinois
41.9%
Note: Share reflects the percentage of all households with total annual income of $100,000 or more, based on gross household income before taxes.
Household income brackets
Household income brackets in Sterling
Distribution of households across income ranges, with cumulative shares in Sterling, compared with peer geographies.
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,350 | $67,500 | $83,390 |
| Income bracket | |||
| Less than $10,000 | 5.5% | 4.6% | 5.4% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 5.9% | 3.6% | 3.2% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 8.5% | 8.3% | 5.9% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 10.2% | 8.1% | 6.3% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 14.6% | 13.8% | 9.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 16.6% | 16.5% | 14.8% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 12.5% | 13% | 12.6% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 16.4% | 19.8% | 18% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 6.2% | 7.6% | 10.1% |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | 4.7% | 13.8% |
| Cumulative Shares | |||
| Share below $35,000 | 30.1% | 24.6% | 20.8% |
| Share below $75,000 | 61.3% | 54.9% | 45.3% |
| Share above $100,000 | 26.2% | 32.1% | 41.9% |
Note:
1. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income inequality
How evenly income is distributed within the community and how inequality compares with broader geographies
Gini Index of Income Inequality
0.47
Scale: 0 (Perfect Equality) – 1 (Perfect Inequality)
Gini index
Sterling
0.47
Whiteside County
0.44
Illinois
0.48
Note: The Gini Index measures the distribution of income across households. Values range from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), with higher values indicating greater income inequality.
Earnings Gap
$196,276
is the average income of the top 20% of households
Key insights
- The top 20% of households earn an average of $196,276 compared to $12,757 for the bottom 20%. Households in the middle earn $57,915 on average.
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Household income distribution
Household income distribution by income groups — upper limits, mean incomes, and income shares in Sterling
Distribution of household income across five equal groups
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest household income in each group ($) | |||
| Bottom 20% | $24,997 | $29,056 | $33,491 |
| Lower 20% | $43,051 | $52,358 | $65,481 |
| Middle 20% | $73,043 | $84,985 | $104,097 |
| Upper 20% | $118,794 | $125,960 | $166,035 |
| Top 5% threshold | $174,315 | $194,798 | $250,001 |
| Average household income within each group ($) | |||
| Bottom 20% | $12,757 | $15,967 | $16,790 |
| Lower 20% | $34,706 | $40,832 | $49,203 |
| Middle 20% | $57,915 | $67,728 | $83,934 |
| Upper 20% | $94,045 | $105,073 | $131,544 |
| Top 20% | $196,276 | $203,359 | $296,721 |
| Top 5% | $356,978 | $357,496 | $533,114 |
| Share of total income (%) | |||
| Bottom 20% | 3.22% | 3.69% | 2.91% |
| Lower 20% | 8.77% | 9.43% | 8.51% |
| Middle 20% | 14.64% | 15.64% | 14.52% |
| Upper 20% | 23.77% | 24.27% | 22.75% |
| Top 20% | 49.6% | 46.97% | 51.32% |
| Top 5% | 22.55% | 20.64% | 23.05% |
Note:
1. All households are ranked by income from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups, each representing 20% of households.
2. Bottom 20% = the lowest-earning 20% of households; Top 20% = the highest-earning 20%.
3. The top 5% threshold is the minimum income needed to be among the highest-earning 5% of households.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race & ethnicity
How household income levels vary across racial and ethnic groups within the area
Median Household Income · by race & ethnicity
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Median Household Income · White vs. Black Households
White
Among the 5,306 White households (80.7% of all households), the median household income is $62,689.
Black
Among the 127 Black or African American households (1.9% of all households), the median household income is $55,809.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race and ethnicity
Median Household Income by race and Hispanic origin in Sterling
Median household income by race and Hispanic origin, compared to the Whiteside County and Illinois.
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Residents | $57,350 | $67,500 | $83,390 |
| White | $62,689 | $70,199 | $90,723 |
| Black or African American | $55,809 | $55,662 | $50,704 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | $— | $52,184 | $76,593 |
| Asian | $— | $56,250 | $114,625 |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | $— | $— | $73,176 |
| Some Other Race | $— | $71,528 | $73,989 |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | $41,667 | $41,923 | $79,574 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $54,922 | $54,974 | $77,559 |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Poverty
Poverty levels across the community and the groups most affected
Poverty Rate
15.3%
15.3% of residents, or 2,209 people, live below the poverty line.
Note: The poverty rate reflects the share of the total population with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Working Poor
4.4%
4.4% of full-time, year-round workers, or 214 people, earn below the poverty line despite working full time.
Note: The working poor rate measures the share of full-time, year-round civilian workers age 16+ whose income falls below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty levels
How widespread poverty is within the area and how local levels compare with broader geographies
CHILD POVERTY RATE
23.7%
23.7% of children under 18, or 703 children, live below the poverty line.
Note: Child poverty rate reflects the share of residents under age 18 with household income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
SENIOR POVERTY RATE
7.6%
7.6% of adults aged 65 and older, or 236 seniors, live below the poverty line.
Note: Senior poverty rate reflects the share of residents aged 65 and over with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty Rates
Poverty distribution by age, sex, and work engagement
Share of population below the federal poverty level
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall poverty rate | 15.3% | 12% | 11.8% |
| Poverty by age | |||
| Under 18 years | 23.7% | 17.7% | 15.1% |
| Under 5 years | 11.8% | 19.3% | 16% |
| 5 to 17 years | 27.3% | 17.2% | 14.8% |
| 18 to 64 years | 15.2% | 10.9% | 11% |
| 18 to 34 years | 18.1% | 14.2% | 13.5% |
| 35 to 64 years | 13.6% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| 65 years and over | 7.6% | 8.9% | 10.4% |
| Poverty by sex | |||
| Male | 14.7% | 10.7% | 10.7% |
| Female | 16% | 13.3% | 12.9% |
| Poverty by work engagement | |||
| Worked full time, year-round | 4.4% | 3.2% | 2% |
| Worked part time or part year | 14.1% | 13.1% | 14.5% |
| Did not work | 23.3% | 18% | 21.1% |
Note:
1. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
2. Work engagement categories are based on weeks and hours worked in the prior 12 months.
Poverty by household type
How poverty rates vary across family structures and household types
Poverty by household type
14.8%
of all households are below the poverty level
Key insights
- 9.7% of family households (360 families) live below the poverty line, compared to 21.5% of nonfamily households (614 households).
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty among family households
9.7%
of families are below the poverty level
Key insights
- 6.3% of married-couple families (150 families) live below the poverty line, compared to 15.9% of single-parent and other family types (210 families).
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Married-couple families and other families are subsets of family households, which include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types are predominantly single-parent households.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by household type
Poverty rates by household type and age of householder in Sterling
Share of households below the federal poverty level by type and householder age
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS | |||
| All ages | 9.7% | 8.3% | 8.2% |
| Householder under 25 years | 5.1% | 24.4% | 27.3% |
| Householder 25 to 44 years | 16% | 14.9% | 11.6% |
| Householder 45 to 64 years | 9.5% | 4.3% | 5.9% |
| Householder 65 years and over | 2.2% | 4.8% | 5.6% |
| NON FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS | |||
| All ages | 21.5% | 18.6% | 19% |
| Householder under 25 years | 78% | 23.9% | 36% |
| Householder 25 to 44 years | 18.4% | 20.6% | 12.2% |
| Householder 45 to 64 years | 30.3% | 19.5% | 21.9% |
| Householder 65 years and over | 13% | 16.4% | 19.1% |
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Householder age reflects the age of the person in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented.
4. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race & ethnicity
How poverty rates vary across racial and ethnic groups and how those differences compare locally
Poverty rates by race & ethnicity
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race — Black vs. White
White
14.6% of White residents, or 1,575 people, live below the poverty line.
Black
0.9% of Black or African American residents, or 3 people, live below the poverty line.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race and ethnicity
Poverty rates by race and Hispanic origin in Sterling
Share of population below the federal poverty level in Sterling and peer geographies.
| Sterling | Whiteside County | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Residents | 15.3% | 12% | 11.8% |
| White | 14.6% | 10.6% | 8.6% |
| Black or African American | 0.9% | 14.1% | 24.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0% | 1% | 13.1% |
| Asian | 13.7% | 11.1% | 10.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | 0% | 20.9% |
| Some Other Race | 9.1% | 8.7% | 15.7% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 24.2% | 25.1% | 12.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 17.7% | 20.6% | 14% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
About Neilsberg Research
Neilsberg Research team are data scientists with expertise in processing, analysis and visualization of big data helping small businesses make right decisions.
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