Sterling Heights, MI Profile: Facts & Data

The City of Sterling Heights is the 4th largest city in Michigan with a population of 134,176 as of July 1, 2024. Sterling Heights ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density and Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Michigan. See peer rankings below.

The primary coordinate point for Sterling Heights is located at latitude 42.5803 and longitude -83.0302 in Macomb County. The formal boundaries for the City of Sterling Heights encompass a land area of 36.51 sq. miles and a water area of 0.29 sq. miles. Macomb County is in the Eastern time zone (GMT -5).

The City of Sterling Heights has a C5 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that is independent of any county subdivision and serves as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.

Sterling Heights, MI Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION
Total Population	134,176 (100%)
Population in Households	133,162 (99.2%)
Population in Families	111,252 (82.9%)
Population in Group Quarters¹	1,014 ( 0.8%)
Population Density	3,681
Diversity Index²	42


INCOME
Median Household Income	$78,247
Average Household Income	$100,462
% of Income for Mortgage⁴	22%
Per Capita Income	$38,843
Wealth Index⁵	89
Socioeconomic Status Index⁶	Moderate (48.8)

HOUSING
Total HU (Housing Units)	53,580 (100%)
Owner Occupied HU	38,854 (72.5%)
Renter Occupied HU	13,005 (24.3%)
Vacant Housing Units	1,721 ( 3.2%)
Median Home Value	$269,849
Average Home Value	$292,618
Housing Affordability Index³	107

HOUSEHOLDS
Total Households	51,859
Average Household Size	2.57
Family Households	34,577
Average Family Size	3.00

NOTES

Group Quarters - a place where people live or stay in a group living arrangement. Includes college residents halls, nursing facilities, military barracks, and correctional facilities.
The Diversity Index is a scale of 0 to 100 that represents the likelihood that two persons, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different races or ethnic groups. If an area's entire population belongs to one race AND one ethnic group, then the area has zero diversity. An area's diversity index increases to 100 when the population is evenly divided into two or more race/ethnic groups.
The Housing Affordability Index base is 100 and represents a balance point where a resident with a median household income can normally qualify to purchase a median price home. Values above 100 indicate increased affordability, while values below 100 indicate decreased affordability.
The % of Income for Mortgage quantifies the percentage of median household income dedicated to mortgage payments on a home priced at the median value (assuming a 30-year mortgage and a 20% down payment).
The Wealth Index is based on a number of indicators of affluence including average household income and average net worth, but it also includes the value of material possessions and resources. It represents the wealth of the area relative to the national level. Values above or below 100 represent above-average wealth or below-average wealth compared to the national level.
The Socioeconomic Index ranges from zero (lowest relative status) to 100 (highest relative status). This measure quantifies disparities in social position of an area's inhabitants and is built from a broad range of demographic, housing, and socioeconomic inputs. More information on this measure can be found in Esri's SEI tutorial.

Sterling Heights, MI - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

The table below compares Sterling Heights to the other 745 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Michigan by rank and percentile using July 1, 2024 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.

GROWTH RATE / YEAR	2020-2024	2024-2029
Population	-0.03%	-0.06%
Households	0.16%	0.25%
Families		0.06%
Median Household Income		2.81%
Per Capita Income		3.05%
Owner Occupied HU		0.64%

Variable Description	Rank	Percentile
Total Population	# 4	100th
Population Density	# 42	94th
Median Household Income	# 178	76th
Housing Affordability Index	# 221	30th
Per Capita Income	# 267	64th
Diversity Index	# 120	84th

Sterling Heights, MI Profile: Facts & Data

Sterling Heights, Michigan - Basic Facts

Sterling Heights, MI Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION

INCOME

HOUSING

HOUSEHOLDS

GROWTH RATE / YEAR

Sterling Heights, MI - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

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