Sterling, Wisconsin
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Population change since 2000: +9.1%
 |
| Males: 431 |  (54.6%) |
| Females: 359 |  (45.4%) |
| Median resident age: | 45.2 years |
| Wisconsin median age: | 42.6 years |
Zip codes: 54024.
| Sterling: | $63,577 |
| WI: | $70,996 |
Estimated per capita income in 2022: $30,429 (it was $15,428 in 2000)
Sterling town income, earnings, and wages data
Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $203,566 (it was $83,800 in 2000)
| Sterling: | $203,566 |
| WI: | $252,800 |
Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $277,838; detached houses: $292,280; townhouses or other attached units: $273,047; in 2-unit structures: $342,285; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $199,123; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $285,633; mobile homes: $95,707; occupied boats, rvs, vans, etc.: $119,484
Detailed information about poverty and poor residents in Sterling, WI
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- 75895.9%White alone
- 121.5%Hispanic
- 101.3%Two or more races
- 40.5%American Indian alone
- 30.4%Black alone
- 30.4%Asian alone
Races in Sterling detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth
According to our research of Wisconsin and other state lists, there was 1 registered sex offender living in Sterling, Wisconsin as of May 23, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Sterling is 790 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.
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Ancestries: German (35.6%), Norwegian (21.5%), Swedish (19.1%), Irish (9.7%), Danish (8.3%), French (8.3%).
Current Local Time: CST time zone
Land area: 63.4 square miles.
Population density: 12 people per square mile (very low).
2 residents are foreign born
| This town: | 0.3% |
| Wisconsin: | 3.6% |
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
| Sterling town: | 1.6% ($1,306) |
| Wisconsin: | 2.0% ($2,245) |
Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Coon Rapids, MN 
(40.6 miles , pop. 61,607).
Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: St. Paul, MN (48.4 miles , pop. 287,151).
Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (363.0 miles , pop. 2,896,016).
Nearest cities:
Anderson, WI (2.3 miles ),
), Laketown, WI (2.7 miles ),
), Eureka, WI (2.8 miles ),
), Trade Lake, WI (3.1 miles ),
), Milltown, WI (3.6 miles )
)Latitude: 45.60 N, Longitude: 92.74 W
Area code commonly used in this area: 715
Single-family new house construction building permits:
- 2022: 4 buildings, average cost: $185,000
- 2021: 2 buildings, average cost: $200,000
- 2020: 1 building, cost: $190,000
- 2019: 1 building, cost: $270,700
- 2018: 1 building, cost: $150,000
- 2016: 1 building, cost: $150,000
- 2013: 1 building, cost: $95,000
| Here: | 4.6% |
| Wisconsin: | 2.7% |
- Metal & metal products (11.8%)
- Health care (9.8%)
- Educational services (5.9%)
- Construction (5.3%)
- Machinery (4.4%)
- Computer & electronic products (4.4%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (3.8%)
- Metal & metal products (14.3%)
- Construction (7.1%)
- Machinery (6.6%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (5.6%)
- Wood products (4.6%)
- Nonmetallic mineral products (4.1%)
- Health care (4.1%)
- Health care (17.6%)
- Metal & metal products (8.5%)
- Educational services (8.5%)
- Computer & electronic products (7.7%)
- Accommodation & food services (4.9%)
- Transportation equipment (4.2%)
- Professional, scientific, technical services (4.2%)
- Metal workers and plastic workers (8.3%)
- Other production occupations, including supervisors (8.3%)
- Assemblers and fabricators (7.4%)
- Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.4%)
- Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (3.6%)
- Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (3.6%)
- Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.0%)
- Other production occupations, including supervisors (12.2%)
- Metal workers and plastic workers (11.7%)
- Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (6.6%)
- Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (6.1%)
- Assemblers and fabricators (5.6%)
- Laborers and material movers, hand (4.1%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3.6%)
- Assemblers and fabricators (9.9%)
- Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (7.0%)
- Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (5.6%)
- Accountants and auditors (5.6%)
- Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (5.6%)
- Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (4.9%)
- Cashiers (4.2%)
Average climate in Sterling, Wisconsin
Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations
Tornado activity:
Sterling-area historical tornado activity is slightly below Wisconsin state average. It is 5% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 5/21/1957, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 6.3 miles away from the Sterling town center injured 2 people and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.
On 5/6/1965, a category F4 tornado 34.2 miles away from the town center killed 6 people and injured 158 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Sterling-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Wisconsin state average. It is 60% smaller than the overall U.S. average.On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 159.5 miles away from the city center
On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 171.7 miles away from the city center
On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML) earthquake occurred 340.2 miles away from the city center
On 10/20/1995 at 15:57:18, a magnitude 3.7 (3.7 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 199.4 miles away from Sterling center
On 2/7/2020 at 18:30:28, a magnitude 3.3 (3.3 ML) earthquake occurred 129.6 miles away from Sterling center
On 1/9/2020 at 18:16:48, a magnitude 3.3 (3.3 MB) earthquake occurred 134.5 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML)
Natural disasters:
The number of natural disasters in Polk County (9) is smaller than the US average (15).Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 5
Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Storms: 4, Tornadoes: 4, Winds: 2, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Hospitals and medical centers near Sterling:
- GOLDEN LIVINGCENTER - RUSH CITY (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; RUSH CITY, MN)
- HILLCREST HEALTH CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; RUSH CITY, MN)
- CHISAGO CO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT (Home Health Center, about 13 miles away; NORTH BRANCH, MN)
- RUSH CITY HOSPITAL (Hospital, about 13 miles away; RUSH CITY, MN)
- FREDERIC NUR REHAB COM (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; FREDERIC, WI)
- GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY HOME CARE (Home Health Center, about 14 miles away; ST CROIX FALLS, WI)
- CENTURIA NURSING HOME (Nursing Home, about 15 miles away; CENTURIA, WI)
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Sterling:
- Century College (about 41 miles; White Bear Lake, MN; Full-time enrollment: 7,393)
- Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (about 42 miles; Shell Lake, WI; FT enrollment: 2,414)
- Anoka-Ramsey Community College (about 42 miles; Coon Rapids, MN; FT enrollment: 5,918)
- Bethel University (about 43 miles; Saint Paul, MN; FT enrollment: 4,061)
- University of Northwestern-St Paul (about 45 miles; Saint Paul, MN; FT enrollment: 2,680)
- North Hennepin Community College (about 46 miles; Brooklyn Park, MN; FT enrollment: 4,943)
- Hennepin Technical College (about 48 miles; Brooklyn Park, MN; FT enrollment: 4,515)
Points of interest:
Notable locations in Sterling: Sterling Townhall (A), Cushing Volunteer Fire Department (B). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemetery: Old Settlers Cemetery (1). Display/hide its location on the map
Lakes: Nimon Lake (A), Orr Lake (B), Pine Island Lake (C), Roger Lake (D), Simpson Lake (E), Bass Lake (F), Deer Lake (G), Wolf Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Rivers and creeks: Trade River (A), Lagoo Creek (B), Cowan Creek (C), Cold Creek (D), Logging Creek (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Park in Sterling: Sterling Barrens State Natural Area (1). Display/hide its location on the map
Average household size:
| This town: | 2.4 people |
| Wisconsin: | 2.4 people |
Percentage of family households:
| This town: | 66.3% |
| Whole state: | 64.4% |
Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
| This town: | 8.4% |
| Whole state: | 7.3% |
Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
- Lesbian couples: 0.6% of all households
- Gay men: 0.0% of all households
| This town: | 8.2% |
| Whole state: | 8.7% |
| This town: | 2.9% |
| Whole state: | 3.7% |
For population 15 years and over in Sterling:
- Never married: 17.2%
- Now married: 64.8%
- Separated: 0.5%
- Widowed: 4.3%
- Divorced: 13.2%
For population 25 years and over in Sterling:
- High school or higher: 80.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher: 8.7%
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.3%
- Unemployed: 7.1%
- Mean travel time to work (commute): 41.2 minutes
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
| Here: | 8.7 |
| Wisconsin average: | 11.0 |
Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results
Religion statistics for Sterling, WI (based on Polk County data)
| Religion | Adherents | Congregations |
|---|---|---|
| Mainline Protestant | 10,596 | 37 |
| Evangelical Protestant | 6,480 | 39 |
| Catholic | 3,716 | 5 |
| Orthodox | 130 | 1 |
| Other | 15 | 3 |
| None | 23,268 | - |
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 11
| Polk County: | 2.49 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 1.86 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1
| Polk County: | 0.23 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 0.38 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 25
| Here: | 5.65 / 10,000 pop. |
| Wisconsin: | 4.12 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of full-service restaurants: 37
| Polk County: | 8.37 / 10,000 pop. |
| Wisconsin: | 8.64 / 10,000 pop. |
Adult diabetes rate:
| This county: | 8.0% |
| Wisconsin: | 7.6% |
Adult obesity rate:
| This county: | 26.9% |
| State: | 27.5% |
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
| Polk County: | 9.1% |
| Wisconsin: | 13.0% |
Strongest AM radio stations in Sterling:
- WCCO (830 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: INFINITY MEDIA CORPORATION)
- KSTP (1500 AM; 50 kW; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: KSTP-AM, LLC (DELAWARE))
- WCTS (1030 AM; 50 kW; MAPLEWOOD, MN; Owner: CNTL. BAPT. THEO/AL SEMI MINNEAPOLIS)
- KTIS (900 AM; 25 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE)
- WEBC (560 AM; 50 kW; DULUTH, MN)
- KFAN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
- WDGY (630 AM; 8 kW; HUDSON, WI; Owner: 630 RADIO, INCORPORATED)
- WXCE (1260 AM; 5 kW; AMERY, WI; Owner: LAKE COUNTRY BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
- WBHR (660 AM; 10 kW; SAUK RAPIDS, MN; Owner: HERBERT M. HOPPE)
- WMGT (1220 AM; 5 kW; STILLWATER, MN; Owner: ENDURANCE BROADCASTING, LLC)
- KUOM (770 AM; daytime; 5 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN)
- WMEQ (880 AM; 10 kW; MENOMONIE, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
- WIXK (1590 AM; daytime; 5 kW; NEW RICHMOND, WI; Owner: WIXK-AM, LLC)
Strongest FM radio stations in Sterling:
- WXPT (104.1 FM; ST. LOUIS PARK, MN; Owner: THE AUDIO HOUSE, INC.)
- KMKL (90.3 FM; NORTH BRANCH, MN; Owner: EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION)
- KNOW-FM (91.1 FM; MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO)
- WLTE (102.9 FM; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: INFINITY MEDIA CORPORATION)
- KJZI (100.3 FM; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
- KSTP-FM (94.5 FM; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: KSTP-FM, LLC, A DELAWARE LLC)
- KQQL (107.9 FM; ANOKA, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
- KEEY-FM (102.1 FM; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
- KTIS-FM (98.5 FM; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE)
- KDWB-FM (101.3 FM; RICHFIELD, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
- KQRS-FM (92.5 FM; GOLDEN VALLEY, MN; Owner: KQRS, Inc.)
- KSJN (99.5 FM; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO)
- KXXR (93.7 FM; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: KQRS, INC.)
- WGVY (105.3 FM; CAMBRIDGE, MN; Owner: KQRS, INC.)
- WFMP (107.1 FM; COON RAPIDS, MN; Owner: WFMP-FM, LLC)
- WXCX (105.7 FM; SIREN, WI; Owner: QUARNSTROM MEDIA GROUP, LLC)
- WCMP-FM (100.9 FM; PINE CITY, MN; Owner: QUARNSTROM MEDIA GROUP, LLC)
TV broadcast stations around Sterling:
- KMSP-TV (Channel 9; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: FOX TELEVISION STATIONS, INC.)
- KARE (Channel 11; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: MULTIMEDIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION)
- KSTP-TV (Channel 5; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: HUBBARD BROADCASTING, INC.)
- KTCA-TV (Channel 2; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC.)
- WCCO-TV (Channel 4; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: CBS BROADCASTING INC.)
- KTCI-TV (Channel 17; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC.)
- KSTC-TV (Channel 45; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: HUBBARD BROADCASTING, INC.)
- KMWB (Channel 23; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: KLGT LICENSEE, LLC)
- WFTC (Channel 29; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: FOX TELEVISION STATIONS, INC.)
- KPXM (Channel 41; ST. CLOUD, MN; Owner: PAXSON MINNEAPOLIS LICENSE, INC.)
- W24CL (Channel 24; GRANTSBURG, WI; Owner: STATE OF WISCONSIN - EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD)
- National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
- 4Number of bridges
- 23ft / 6.5mTotal length
- 789Total average daily traffic
- 35Total average daily truck traffic
- 866Total future (year 2039) average daily traffic
FCC Registered Antenna Towers:
5- Kelsey Daenen, Ne Corner Of 320th Street And 290th Avenue (Lat: 45.629556 Lon: -92.813306), Type: 117.3, Structure height: 55095 m, Overall height: 115.8 m, Registrant: Environmental Corporation Of America, Dina.Bazzill@eca-Usa.Com, , Alpha-retta, Phone: (770) 667-2040
- Kevin Hetrick, Ne Corner Of 320th Street And 290th Avenue (Lat: 45.629556 Lon: -92.813306), Type: 117.3, Structure height: 55095 m, Overall height: 115.8 m, Registrant: Environmental Corporation Of America, Dina.Bazzill@eca-Usa.Com, , Alpha-retta, Phone: (770) 667-2040
- Kevin Hetrick, Ne Corner Of 320th Street And 290th Avenue (Lat: 45.629556 Lon: -92.813306), Type: 117.3, Structure height: 55095 m, Overall height: 115.8 m, Registrant: At&t Services, Inc., Fccmw@att.Com, , Dalla-s, Phone: (855) 699-7073
- Chad Doherty, Ne Corner Of 320th Street And 290th Avenue (Lat: 45.629556 Lon: -92.813306), Type: 117.3, Structure height: 55095 m, Overall height: 115.8 m, Registrant: Towerco 2013 LLC, Cdoherty@towerco.Com, , Cary, Phone: (919) 653-5700
- Chad Doherty, Ne Corner Of 320th Street And 290th Avenue (Lat: 45.629556 Lon: -92.813306), Type: 117.3, Structure height: 55095 m, Overall height: 115.8 m, Registrant: Towerco 2013 LLC, Cdoherty@towerco.Com, , Cary, Phone: (919) 653-5700
Sterling compared to Wisconsin state average:
- Unemployed percentage below state average.
- Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
- Renting percentage significantly below state average.
- Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
- Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.
- House age significantly below state average.
- Number of college students significantly below state average.
- Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.