City

Sterling, MI

1 ZIP code  ·  Arenac County  ·  Michigan

👥2,740Population
💰$58,021Median HH Income▼ 24% below avg
🎂38.4Median Age
🏠$118,900Median Home Value▼ 57% below avg
🎓23.2%College Grads▼ 40% below avg
📊5.5%Unemployment▲ 12% above avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 52.6% Female 47.5% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 95.7%Hispanic: 0.2%Black: 0.3%Other: 3.7%Race
White95.7%
Hispanic0.2%
Black0.3%
Other3.7%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
7%
5–17
18%
18–24
6%
25–44
27%
45–64
26%
65+
9%

Key Indicators

Median Age38.4 yrs
Avg HH Size2.67
Below Poverty16.5% ▲ 65% above avg
College Grads23.2% ▼ 40% below avg
Unemployment5.5% ▲ 12% above avg
No HS Diploma29 (1.7%)
HS Graduate709 (41.1%)
Some College264 (15.3%)
Associates324 (18.8%)
Bachelors181 (10.5%)
Graduate Degree220 (12.7%)

Education

No HS: 1.7%HS Grad: 41.1%Some College: 15.3%Associates: 18.8%Bachelors: 10.5%Graduate: 12.7%Edu
No HS1.7%
HS Grad41.1%
Some College15.3%
Associates18.8%
Bachelors10.5%
Graduate12.7%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 86.7%Renter: 13.3%Tenure
Owner86.7%
Renter13.3%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
18%
$50k–$100k
23%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
17%
$200k–$300k
16%
$300k–$500k
6%
Over $500k
4%

Financials

Median HH Income$58,021 ▼ 24% below avg
Median Home Value$118,900 ▼ 57% below avg
Home/Income Ratio2.0x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$857/mo
Total Housing Units1,300
Vacant Units292

Income Distribution

Under $25k
18%
$25k–$50k
19%
$50k–$75k
30%
$75k–$100k
15%
$100k–$150k
13%
$150k–$200k
3%
Over $200k
1%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
88%
Public Transit
0%
Walked
5%
Work From Home
7%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
35%
15–30 min
30%
30–45 min
14%
Over 45 min
21%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
3%
1940s–1950s
8%
1960s–1970s
18%
1980s–1990s
16%
2000+
55%
About Sterling, MI

Sterling is a city in Michigan, located in Arenac County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 2,740 residents. It is a middle-aged city, with a median age of 38.4 years.

Economically, Sterling is a solidly middle-class community. The median household income of $58,021 is below the national average. Approximately 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 5.5%, near the national average.

The real estate market in Sterling is one of the more affordable housing markets in the country. Median home values stand at $118,900, which is well below the national average. Renters typically pay around $857 per month. Homeownership is high at 86.7%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Sterling is less-educated. 23.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — below the national average. The community is primarily White (95.73%).

Sterling, MI offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within Michigan.

ZIP Codes in Sterling
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
48659 2,740 $58,021 $118,900 $857 5.5% 23.2% 86.7%