Sterling Population 2026
Sterling has a population of 27,822, making it the #1687 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in Virginia. It is about 316× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
27,822
Rank in United States
#1687
Coordinates
39.01°N, 77.43°W
~89 m elevation · America/New_York
Distance to capital (Washington)
36 km
22 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Virginia
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 454,808 | #44 |
| Norfolk | 238,005 | #92 |
| Chesapeake | 235,429 | #98 |
| Richmond | 226,610 | #103 |
| Arlington | 207,627 | #113 |
| Newport News | 186,247 | #140 |
| Alexandria | 159,467 | #167 |
| East Hampton | 147,993 | #185 |
Cities near Sterling
- Ashburn43,511 people · ~7 km away
- Reston58,404 people · ~9 km away
- South Riding24,256 people · ~12 km away
- Leesburg51,209 people · ~17 km away
- Centreville71,135 people · ~18 km away
- Fairfax24,013 people · ~21 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Sterling?
Sterling has a population of 27,822 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #1687 biggest city in United States.
What state is Sterling in?
Sterling is located in Virginia, United States.
Is Sterling the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 36 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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