Sterling: Demographics & People
Sterling is home to 751 people, in 301 households. Population grew 2.9% from 730 (2022) to 751 (2024). Median age 40.2 years. (6.1y older than Comanche County; 5.0y older than Oklahoma). Children under 18 are 27% of the population. Population is 88% White (non-Hispanic) and 4% Black. 77% of households are family-led. County is losing 1,872 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Oklahoma avg 2.6).
- 23% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Oklahoma 39%).
- 75 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Oklahoma 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.9% from 730 (2022) to 751 (2024) — about 4.8× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~772 (extrapolated at 1.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 802.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 121,125 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 730 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 751 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 751 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Population Estimate | 802 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 40.2y is 1.3 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 27% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 40.2 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 27.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 751 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 204 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 133.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 295.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 119 |
| Population under 18 | 204 |
| Median age | 40.2 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 751 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 655 |
|---|---|
| Asian residents | 9 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 38 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 23.2% |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | less diverse |
| Black population | 3.6% (vs Oklahoma 5.5%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.2% (vs Oklahoma 12.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 88.0% (vs Oklahoma 57.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 2.0% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 0% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 505 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 227 |
| Share born in this state | 67.2% |
| Share born in another state | 32.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 30.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.0% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 10 |
Households & Family Composition
301 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 77% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 226 families, 28% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 207 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 226 |
| Married couples with children | 64 |
| Single-parent households | 23 |
| Average household size | 2.53 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 5 |
| Family households | 232 households (vs Oklahoma 16,590) |
| Households that are families | 77.1% (vs Oklahoma 61.1%) |
| Total households | 301 households (vs Oklahoma 23,671) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 7.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 1,872 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 7.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 107,520 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 109,392 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -1,872 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 133 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 18.2% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 40031 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 031 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Comanche |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 33.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 31.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 36.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 40031 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Comanche County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 4,312 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 40031 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Comanche County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 79.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 67.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 35.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 120,749 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 27.2% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 751, growing, established, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 751 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Town Summary · County | Comanche County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade