Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 14 min5:24 am – 8:37 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 8 min7:23 am – 4:31 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People20,844 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 43.38,884 householdsMedian household income $67,586Median home value $123,400Median rent $870 a month73% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $2,771 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting4.1% unemployment rate63% of adults are in the labour force, 10,226 employedMain industries: education and health care 25%, manufacturing 17%, retail 13%Average commute 20 minutes79% drive alone, 10% car-pool, 5% walk or cycle, 5% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages22% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher93% finished high school, 9% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 90%, Spanish 8%3% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 83°F, lows 64°FColdest month January: highs 29°F, lows 14°F41 in of rain a year, on about 73 dayswettest month June31 in of snow a year, on about 17 days11 days above 90°F, 138 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Dixon 1w station, 12 mi away
Nearby landmarksCrystal Lakelake · 6.6 miLeo Johnson Lakelake · 3.8 miSauk Valley Community Collegecollege · 7.6 miGap Grove (historical)woods · 9.3 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsWestwood Fitness & Sports Centerrecreation area · 3.1 miEberly Parkpark · 3.4 miSprings Sloughstate conservation land · 6.7 mi · 455 acresLyndon Prairiestate conservation land · 8.2 mi · 77 acresProphetstown State Recreation Areastate recreation area · 15.4 mi · 57 acresCastle Rock State Parkstate park · 19.1 mi · 2,008 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes2 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 15 Sep 197224 mi away, near Amboy, IllinoisMost recent: magnitude 3.5 on 2 Sep 199918 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowWhiteside County, IL, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsStrong wind Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality59% of days had good air in 2025217 of 365 days measured145 moderate, 2 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 1 unhealthy daysMedian index 45, worst day 166main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Clinton County, IA, 41 mi away
Internet at home88% of households have a broadband subscription72% have cable, fibre or DSL10% rely on a mobile data plan alone8% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterCountry Acres MHP (whiteside County)serves 232 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation734 ft224 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalCGH Medical Center4.0 miPost officeGalt Post Office4.3 miTown hallSterling City Hall4.9 miPoliceSterling Police Department4.9 miFire stationSterling Fire Station 14.2 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeSauk Valley Community College7.6 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportChicago Rockford International Airport RFD41 miMajor airportChicago O'Hare International Airport ORD95 miInterstateI-886.6 miUS highwayUS 305.2 miAmtrakPrinceton, IL PCT35 miCoachDixon Reagan Transit CenterGreyhound14 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 61081 ZIP area.
