Sterling Population 2026
Sterling has a population of 15,057, making it the #3104 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in Illinois. It is about 585× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
15,057
Rank in United States
#3104
Coordinates
41.79°N, 89.70°W
~201 m elevation · America/Chicago
Distance to capital (Washington)
1,119 km
695 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Illinois
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,664,452 | #3 |
| Aurora | 200,661 | #125 |
| Rockford | 148,278 | #184 |
| Joliet | 147,861 | #186 |
| Naperville | 147,100 | #190 |
| Peoria | 115,070 | #259 |
| Springfield | 114,394 | #262 |
| North Peoria | 113,004 | #266 |
Cities near Sterling
- Dixon15,319 people · ~19 km away
- Clinton26,064 people · ~41 km away
- Freeport24,476 people · ~57 km away
- East Moline21,350 people · ~70 km away
- Rockford148,278 people · ~73 km away
- Bettendorf35,505 people · ~74 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Sterling?
Sterling has a population of 15,057 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #3104 biggest city in United States.
What state is Sterling in?
Sterling is located in Illinois, United States.
Is Sterling the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 1,119 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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