Sterling ZIP Codes — Rice County, KS

There is one unique ZIP code in Sterling, Kansas and it is 67579. Area code: 620.

ZIP codes

204.41

sq mi land

0.82

sq mi water

620

area code

Sterling, KS ZIP code map

About Sterling, KS

Sterling is a charming city located in the heart of Kansas, specifically in Rice County. Known for its friendly community and small-town atmosphere, Sterling offers a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors. Rich in history and surrounded by beautiful landscapes, Sterling stands as a unique gem in the Midwest.

Location & geography

Geographically, Sterling is positioned within Rice County, Kansas, and it features a total land area of 204.41 square miles. The city is located approximately 21 miles northeast of Hutchinson and about 28 miles southwest of McPherson. With a minor water area of 0.82 square miles, the terrain around Sterling is primarily flat, contributing to its agricultural surroundings.

Community & economy

Sterling boasts a strong sense of community, with residents who partake in various local activities and events throughout the year. The city’s economy is supported by agriculture, education, and small businesses, providing a robust environment for growth. Daily life in Sterling reflects its close-knit community spirit, where neighbors know each other and local culture thrives.

Transportation

Transportation in Sterling is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 50, which connects the city to other key areas in Kansas. The nearest named airport is the Hutchinson Municipal Airport, located about 20 miles away. Public transit options are limited, emphasizing the importance of personal transportation within the city.

History

Sterling was founded in the late 19th century, with the area originally thriving due to its agricultural roots. Key industries included farming and livestock, which played a significant role in the development of the local economy. Over the years, the town has experienced notable events, including celebrations of its rich history and community milestones.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Sterling is that it is home to Sterling College, a private Christian liberal arts college that attracts students from various backgrounds. Additionally, the city hosts several annual events that celebrate its culture and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Sterling, KS (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
67579	Sterling	Rice	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,130

Population

31.6

Median age

$56,436

Median household income

$26,621

Per capita income

$139,900

Median home value

$630

Median monthly rent

78.1%

Home ownership

7.0%

Poverty rate

1.5%

Unemployment

941

Housing units

35.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

103

5–9

106

10–14

100

265

15–19

247

161

20–24

151

140

25–34

130

133

35–44

125

155

45–54

145

55–59

60–64

181

65–74

169

102

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	744	23.8%
18 and over	2,386	76.2%
65 and over	579	18.5%
Median age	31.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.9%

Two or more races 6.6%

Black or African American 3.3%

Hispanic or Latino 2.8%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.9%

Asian 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	2,767	85.9%
Two or more races	211	6.6%
Black or African American	105	3.3%
Hispanic or Latino	91	2.8%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	28	0.9%
Asian	12	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.2%

$10k–$15k 3.5%

$15k–$25k 9.4%

$25k–$35k 5.8%

$35k–$50k 20.8%

$50k–$75k 19.9%

$75k–$100k 14.2%

$100k–$150k 13.1%

$150k–$200k 6.5%

$200k+ 2.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.2%
$10k–$15k	3.5%
$15k–$25k	9.4%
$25k–$35k	5.8%
$35k–$50k	20.8%
$50k–$75k	19.9%
$75k–$100k	14.2%
$100k–$150k	13.1%
$150k–$200k	6.5%
$200k+	2.6%
Median income	$56,436

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 19.6%

$50k–$100k 19.4%

$100k–$150k 14.3%

$150k–$200k 15.8%

$200k–$300k 23.9%

$300k–$500k 5.8%

$500k–$1M 1.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$139,900
Median rent / month	$630
Owner occupied	78.1%
Renter occupied	21.9%
Vacant	10.1%
Single-family detached	88.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	2.6%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.71

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.2%
2000–2009	7.1%
1990–1999	6.1%
1980–1989	6.2%
1970–1979	11.8%
1960–1969	8.3%
1950–1959	11.2%
1940–1949	6.8%
1939 or earlier	35.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	8.0%
2 bedrooms	30.4%
3 bedrooms	44.5%
4 bedrooms	11.5%
5+ bedrooms	4.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.5%
1 vehicle	33.2%
2 vehicles	36.7%
3 or more	29.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	62.0%
Electricity	16.1%
Propane / LP gas	18.7%
Wood	2.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	586	55.6%
Cohabiting couple	42	4.0%
Male householder, no spouse	182	17.3%
Female householder, no spouse	244	23.1%
Households with children under 18	347	32.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	387	36.7%
Average household size	2.47

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	40.1%	33.1%
Married	52.4%	50.0%
Separated	0.4%	0.0%
Widowed	2.9%	7.9%
Divorced	4.2%	9.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.5%

Some HS, no diploma 2.8%

HS graduate 30.3%

Some college, no degree 23.6%

Associate's degree 7.2%

Bachelor's degree 17.9%

Graduate / professional 17.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.7%
Bachelor's or higher	35.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	24	2.1%
Kindergarten	33	2.9%
Elementary school	338	29.4%
High school	176	15.3%
College / grad school	579	50.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.3%

Manufacturing 13.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.9%

Retail trade 8.5%

Other services 7.7%

Professional & management 6.6%

Agriculture & mining 6.4%

Construction 5.1%

Finance & real estate 4.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.9%

Public administration 2.8%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	41.9%
Service	15.8%
Sales & office	18.3%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	12.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.5%
Government	18.6%
Self-employed	4.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.3%
Carpool	5.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	13.5%
Other means	2.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.1

Poverty

All people 7.0%

Under 18 years 9.2%

18 and over 6.2%

Married-couple families 3.2%

Female-led households 10.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.4%
Retirement income	23.2%
Supplemental Security	4.0%
Cash public assistance	1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.2%
High cholesterol	31.9%
Heart disease	6.4%
Stroke	2.8%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	22.9%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.3%
Cancer	6.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.9%
No physical activity	22.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.0%
Fair or poor health	12.6%
Poor mental health	14.5%
Poor physical health	9.3%
No health insurance	13.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.3%
Visited dentist	66.9%
Cholesterol screening	85.5%
Teeth loss	12.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	141	5.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.5%
Under 18	4.2%
18–64 years	9.0%
65 and over	35.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	78.6%
Public insurance	28.9%
Uninsured under 19	1.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,950	94.2%
Spanish	15	0.5%
Other Indo-European	5	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	10	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,042	97.2%
Born in same state	3,028	96.7%
Born in different state	1,998	63.8%
Foreign born	14	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	88	2.8%
Not a US citizen	39	44.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	431	13.8%
Italian	205	6.5%
Arab	95	3%
English	87	2.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	15	0.5%
German	9	0.3%
Dutch	7	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	33.7%
Internet access	91.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Sterling, KS have?

Sterling, KS has one ZIP code: 67579. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.