Sterling, AK
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Sterling, Alaska Summary

Life in Sterling research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Sterling over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Sterling:

  • The population in Sterling is 6,776.

  • The median home value in Sterling is $339,787.

  • The median income in Sterling is $110,341.

  • The cost of living in Sterling is 127 which is 1.3x higher than the national average.

  • The median rent in Sterling is $1,095.

  • The unemployment rate in Sterling is 7.0%.

  • The poverty rate in Sterling is 5.9%.

  • The average high in Sterling is 44.6° and the average low is 28.9°.

Sterling SnackAbility

5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
7/10
Housing
8.5
Affordability
8
Diversity
6
Safety
N/A
Amenities
5
Education
8
Commute
7

Sterling, AK Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Sterling summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Sterling. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Alaska. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Sterling is 127 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Sterling is 1.3x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Sterling is $339,787.

  • The median income in Sterling is $110,341.

127
Sterling's Overall Cost Of Living
1.3x
Higher Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Sterling Comparison Table

Living Expense Sterling Alaska National Average
Overall 127 131 100
Services 116 120 100
Groceries 122 123 100
Health 141 150 100
Housing 148 136 100
Transportation 111 116 100
Utilities 112 158 100

Sterling, AK Weather

  • The average high in Sterling is 44.6° and the average low is 28.9°.

  • There are 73.2 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 32.2 inches of precipitation each year with 80.7 inches of snow.

StatSterling
Average Annual High44.6
Average Annual Low28.9
Annual Precipitation Days73.2
Average Annual Precipitation32.2
Average Annual Snowfall80.7
44.6°
Average High
73.2
Days of Rain

Rankings for Sterling in Alaska

Locations Around Sterling

Map Of Sterling, AK

Best Places Around Sterling

1

Kenai, AK
Population 7,562

2

Kalifornsky, AK
Population 8,136

Sterling Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Sterling

The current population in Sterling is 6,776. The population has increased 27.7% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 6,776 7.4%
2022 6,307 4.8%
2021 6,016 16.8%
2020 5,150 -0.4%
2019 5,169 -2.9%
2018 5,321 -1.2%
2017 5,387 -4.8%
2016 5,661 -6.5%
2015 6,054 5.3%
2014 5,748 9.9%
2013 5,231 -3.5%
2012 5,419 -1.0%
2011 5,476 3.2%
2010 5,308 -

Race / Ethnicity in Sterling

White
91.5% (6,202)
African American
0.0% (0)
American Indian
2.7% (184)
Asian
1.1% (73)
Hawaiian
0.0% (0)
Other
0.2% (11)
Two Or More
2.7% (182)
Hispanic
1.8% (124)

Sterling is:

  • 91.5% White with 6,202 White residents.

  • 0.0% African American with 0 African American residents.

  • 2.7% American Indian with 184 American Indian residents.

  • 1.1% Asian with 73 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.2% Other with 11 Other residents.

  • 2.7% Two Or More with 182 Two Or More residents.

  • 1.8% Hispanic with 124 Hispanic residents.

Race Sterling AK USA
White 91.5% 58.3% 58.2%
African American 0.0% 3.0% 12.0%
American Indian 2.7% 13.5% 0.5%
Asian 1.1% 6.3% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.0% 1.5% 0.2%
Other 0.2% 0.6% 0.5%
Two Or More 2.7% 9.6% 3.9%
Hispanic 1.8% 7.1% 19.0%

Gender in Sterling

Female
49.0% (3,320)
Male
51.0% (3,455)
  • Sterling is 49.0% female with 3,320 female residents.

  • Sterling is 51.0% male with 3,455 male residents.

Gender Sterling AK USA
Female 49.0% 47.5% 50.5%
Male 51.0% 52.5% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Sterling for adults over 25

  • 0.0% of adults in Sterling completed < 9th grade.

  • 2.0% of adults in Sterling completed 9-12th grade.

  • 28.0% of adults in Sterling completed high school / ged.

  • 28.0% of adults in Sterling completed some college.

  • 10.0% of adults in Sterling completed associate's degree.

  • 20.0% of adults in Sterling completed bachelor's degree.

  • 8.0% of adults in Sterling completed master's degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in Sterling completed professional degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Sterling completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
0.0% (0)
9-12th Grade
2.0% (135)
High School / GED
28.0% (1,897)
Some College
28.0% (1,897)
Associate's Degree
10.0% (677)
Bachelor's Degree
20.0% (1,355)
Master's Degree
8.0% (542)
Professional Degree
3.0% (203)
Doctorate Degree
1.0% (67)
Education Sterling AK USA
< 9th Grade 0.0% 3.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 2.0% 4.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 28.0% 29.0% 26.0%
Some College 28.0% 24.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 10.0% 9.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 20.0% 20.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 8.0% 8.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 3.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 1.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Sterling, Alaska

  • 2.0% of households in Sterling earn Less than $10,000.

  • 1.9% of households in Sterling earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 6.5% of households in Sterling earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 1.2% of households in Sterling earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 8.7% of households in Sterling earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 13.5% of households in Sterling earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 13.0% of households in Sterling earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 19.4% of households in Sterling earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 12.2% of households in Sterling earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 21.6% of households in Sterling earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
2.0% (13,320)
$10,000 to $14,999
1.9% (12,826)
$15,000 to $24,999
6.5% (44,153)
$25,000 to $34,999
1.2% (8,140)
$35,000 to $49,999
8.7% (58,953)
$50,000 to $74,999
13.5% (91,514)
$75,000 to $99,999
13.0% (88,307)
$100,000 to $149,999
19.4% (131,474)
$150,000 to $199,999
12.2% (82,387)
$200,000 or more
21.6% (146,521)
Income Sterling AK USA
Less than $10,000 2.0% 3.8% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 1.9% 2.3% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 6.5% 5.6% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 1.2% 5.2% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 8.7% 9.4% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 13.5% 15.2% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 13.0% 13.8% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 19.4% 19.6% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 12.2% 11.3% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 21.6% 13.8% 12.6%

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