| Place Name | Sterling |
| Place Type | City |
| ZIP Code(s) | 61081 |
| County | Whiteside County |
| Area Code(s) | 815,779 |
| Timezone | Central Daylight Time (CDT) |
| Population (2022) | 15,367 |
| Population Growth Rate (2010-19) | -3.94% |
| Majority Ethnicity | White 74.3% |
| Metro/Micro Stats Area | Sterling, IL |
| US Congressional District(s) | Illinois 17th |
| State House Districts | 71 |
| State Senate Districts | 36 |
| Race/Ethnicy | Percentage of Population (2021) |
|---|---|
| White | 74.3% |
| African American | 1.73% |
| Hispanic | 0% |
| Asian | 1.3% |
| Native American | 0.07% |
| Hawaiin/Pacific Islander | 22.6% |