Sterling ZIP Codes — Whiteside County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Sterling, Illinois and it is 61081. Area code: 815/779.

ZIP codes

124.39

sq mi land

2.12

sq mi water

815/779

area code

Sterling, IL ZIP code map

About Sterling, IL

Sterling, Illinois, is a vibrant city located in Whiteside County, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. With a single ZIP code of 61081, Sterling offers a welcoming atmosphere that attracts both residents and visitors. The city is characterized by its small-town charm, coupled with access to modern amenities and recreational activities.

Location & geography

Sterling is situated in the northwestern part of Illinois, and it is approximately 30 miles east of the Mississippi River. Neighboring cities include Rock Falls, which is just across the river, as well as Dixon, about 15 miles to the south, and Morrison, located around 12 miles to the west. The city covers a land area of 124.39 square miles and features a water area of 2.12 square miles, showcasing a blend of both urban and natural environments.

Community & economy

Sterling boasts a diverse community that values its history and local traditions, contributing to a strong sense of identity. The city's economy is supported by various industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, which provide numerous job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Sterling is enriched by local events, parks, and recreational facilities, fostering community engagement and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Transportation

Major highways serving Sterling include U.S. Route 30 and Illinois Route 2, making travel to nearby cities convenient. The nearest airport is the Quad City International Airport, located approximately 40 miles to the south. Public transit options include local bus services that connect residents to surrounding areas.

History

Founded in the mid-19th century, Sterling played a significant role in the development of the region due to its strategic location near the Rock River. Historically, the city has been known for its milling industry, which thrived because of the river's resources. Notable events include the establishment of various community institutions and infrastructures that have shaped its growth over the decades.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Sterling is that it was once known as 'The Hardware Capital of the World' during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to its thriving hardware manufacturing industry. Additionally, the city is home to the historic Sterling-Rock Falls Museum, which showcases the rich history and culture of the local area.

ZIP codes for Sterling, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
61081	Sterling	Whiteside	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,138

Population

44.0

Median age

$57,618

Median household income

$35,028

Per capita income

$120,000

Median home value

$763

Median monthly rent

70.7%

Home ownership

12.5%

Poverty rate

4.9%

Unemployment

7,199

Housing units

18.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

478

Under 5

457

674

5–9

645

691

10–14

662

587

15–19

561

767

20–24

734

1,127

25–34

1,078

1,239

35–44

1,186

1,362

45–54

1,304

752

55–59

720

621

60–64

594

1,458

65–74

1,395

688

75–84

659

357

85+

342

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,191	19.8%
18 and over	16,947	80.2%
65 and over	4,899	23.2%
Median age	44.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 76.6%

Two or more races 9.4%

Hispanic or Latino 7.7%

Other race 2.8%

Black or African American 1.9%

Asian 1.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	17,553	76.6%
Two or more races	2,159	9.4%
Hispanic or Latino	1,767	7.7%
Other race	632	2.8%
Black or African American	435	1.9%
Asian	267	1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	78	0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	14	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.3%

$10k–$15k 4.1%

$15k–$25k 9.7%

$25k–$35k 8.8%

$35k–$50k 15.5%

$50k–$75k 16.5%

$75k–$100k 11.9%

$100k–$150k 17.7%

$150k–$200k 6.1%

$200k+ 4.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.3%
$10k–$15k	4.1%
$15k–$25k	9.7%
$25k–$35k	8.8%
$35k–$50k	15.5%
$50k–$75k	16.5%
$75k–$100k	11.9%
$100k–$150k	17.7%
$150k–$200k	6.1%
$200k+	4.5%
Median income	$57,618

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.0%

$50k–$100k 31.5%

$100k–$150k 27.3%

$150k–$200k 15.4%

$200k–$300k 14.1%

$300k–$500k 5.1%

$500k–$1M 2.2%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$120,000
Median rent / month	$763
Owner occupied	70.7%
Renter occupied	29.3%
Vacant	9.8%
Single-family detached	74.2%
Large apartment buildings	5.4%
Mobile homes	0.1%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.52

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.9%
2000–2009	5.7%
1990–1999	10.3%
1980–1989	5.1%
1970–1979	15.6%
1960–1969	11.0%
1950–1959	18.6%
1940–1949	5.8%
1939 or earlier	24.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.3%
1 bedroom	8.5%
2 bedrooms	26.9%
3 bedrooms	42.6%
4 bedrooms	16.1%
5+ bedrooms	3.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.8%
1 vehicle	39.9%
2 vehicles	34.0%
3 or more	19.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	71.7%
Electricity	19.6%
Propane / LP gas	8.1%
Wood	0.1%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,822	43.3%
Cohabiting couple	722	8.2%
Male householder, no spouse	1,815	20.6%
Female householder, no spouse	2,472	28.0%
Households with children under 18	2,368	26.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,410	38.6%
Average household size	2.34

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	39.3%	27.8%
Married	47.8%	45.7%
Separated	1.5%	1.7%
Widowed	3.8%	10.4%
Divorced	7.7%	14.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.5%

Some HS, no diploma 5.4%

HS graduate 36.8%

Some college, no degree 25.2%

Associate's degree 10.4%

Bachelor's degree 11.1%

Graduate / professional 7.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.0%
Bachelor's or higher	18.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	355	8.5%
Kindergarten	153	3.6%
Elementary school	2,044	48.7%
High school	1,051	25.1%
College / grad school	591	14.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.3%

Manufacturing 17.6%

Retail trade 13.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.5%

Professional & management 7.6%

Transportation & utilities 6.9%

Construction 5.4%

Public administration 5.1%

Other services 4.1%

Finance & real estate 3.9%

Wholesale trade 2.4%

Agriculture & mining 1.9%

Information 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.2%
Service	15.6%
Sales & office	22.7%
Natural resources & construction	8.2%
Production & transportation	23.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.1%
Government	15.5%
Self-employed	4.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.0%
Carpool	11.6%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	5.1%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.0

Poverty

All people 12.5%

Under 18 years 19.6%

18 and over 10.7%

Married-couple families 3.2%

Female-led households 16.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.6%
Retirement income	31.9%
Supplemental Security	5.1%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.2%
High cholesterol	34.5%
Heart disease	7.2%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	28.7%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.5%
No physical activity	26.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.7%
Fair or poor health	15.9%
Poor mental health	12.9%
Poor physical health	10.7%
No health insurance	13.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.6%
Visited dentist	61.3%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	15.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,422	8.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.1%
Under 18	6.6%
18–64 years	10.4%
65 and over	34.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.3%
Public insurance	43.0%
Uninsured under 19	2.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,203	95.6%
Spanish	785	3.9%
Other Indo-European	599	3.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	44	0.2%
Other languages	142	0.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,147	95.3%
Born in same state	19,869	94.0%
Born in different state	16,695	79.0%
Foreign born	278	1.3%
Naturalized citizen	991	4.7%
Not a US citizen	405	40.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,528	12%
French	1,729	8.2%
Arab	1,167	5.5%
English	442	2.1%
Polish	272	1.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	199	0.9%
Norwegian	47	0.2%
Irish	46	0.2%
German	42	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.8%
Internet access	90.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Sterling, IL have?

Sterling, IL has one ZIP code: 61081. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.