Sterling is a city in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,451 at the 2000 census. Sterling has long been associated with manufacturing and the steel industry.

Geography

Sterling is located at 41°47′48″N, 89°41′36″W (41.796805, -89.693258)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 km² (4.9 mi²). 12.1 km² (4.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (3.91%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 15,451 people, 6,234 households, and 3,946 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,277.4/km² (3,307.0/mi²). There were 6,596 housing units at an average density of 545.3/km² (1,411.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.36% White, 2.25% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 9.82% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.24% of the population.

There were 6,234 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,664, and the median income for a family was $45,531. Males had a median income of $33,047 versus $21,944 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,432. About 7.6% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Due to the gerrymandering of the Illinois Congressional Districts, residents of Sterling can live in one of three districts: Illinois's 14th congressional district, Illinois's 16th congressional district, or Illinois's 17th congressional district.

Illinois Congressional District 16; Sterling is at the cusp of Districts 14, 16, and 17

Sterling is also home to 13 gangs and in recent years has experienced a crack epidemic which has led to a rise in murders and overall crime, but law enforcement is trying to crack down.

See also

• Northwestern Steel and Wire
• Paul W. Dillon Home
• Edward N. Kirk

External links

Coordinates: 41.796805° N 89.693258° W

• City of Sterling Web Site
• Temple Sholom - Union for Reform Judaism
• Sterling High School Athletics
• Sterling Schools Foundation
• Newman Central Catholic High School

Municipalities and communities of Whiteside County, Illinois
County seat: Morrison
Cities	Fulton | Morrison | Prophetstown | Rock Falls | Sterling
Villages	Albany | Coleta | Deer Grove | Erie | Lyndon | Tampico
Townships	Albany | Clyde | Coloma | Erie | Fenton | Fulton | Garden Plain | Genesee | Hahnaman | Hopkins | Hume | Jordan | Lyndon | Montmorency | Mount Pleasant | Newton | Portland | Prophetstown | Sterling | Tampico | Union Grove | Ustick
Unincorporated communities	Agnew | Brookhaven | Ceffco | Como | East Clinton | East Fulton | Emerson | Galt | Grimes Addition | Leon Corners | Malvern | Maple Lane | Mineral Springs | Penrose | Portland Corners | Riverview | Shore Acres | Steelton | Thomas | Woodlawn Heights | Yeoward Addition | Yeowardville

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