Sterling ZIP Codes — Johnson County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Sterling, Nebraska and it is 68443. Area code: 402.

ZIP codes

95.93

sq mi land

0.21

sq mi water

402

area code

Sterling, NE ZIP code map

About Sterling, NE

Sterling is a small city located in Johnson County, Nebraska. This charming locality is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and close-knit community. It serves as a quiet retreat from larger urban areas while still offering access to essential amenities.

Location & geography

Situated in southeastern Nebraska, Sterling is approximately 34 miles southwest of Lincoln, 12 miles northwest of Tecumseh, 21 miles northeast of Fairbury, and about 17 miles east of Auburn. The total land area of Sterling spans 95.93 square miles, complemented by a small water area of 0.21 square miles. The terrain is primarily flat, which is typical of the region, providing an expansive landscape for agriculture and outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Sterling is defined by its agricultural roots and a supportive community spirit. Residents participate actively in local events, enhancing the small-town experience, while industries primarily focus on agriculture and service sectors. Daily life in Sterling revolves around community gatherings, local businesses, and an appreciation for the natural environment.

Transportation

Sterling is accessible via Nebraska Highway 50, connecting it to other parts of the state. The nearest major airport is Lincoln Airport, approximately 34 miles away, which facilitates travel for residents and visitors. Local transportation options are limited, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles for commuting and travel.

History

Sterling was founded in the late 19th century, aligning with the development of the surrounding agricultural land. Historically, the city's economy has revolved around farming and related industries, which remain significant to this day. Notable events include annual community celebrations that showcase local culture and heritage.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Sterling, NE is its rich agricultural history, which is reflected in the lifestyle and economy of the area. Additionally, Sterling often serves as a peaceful stop for travelers exploring the scenic routes of southeastern Nebraska.

ZIP codes for Sterling, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68443	Sterling	Johnson	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,086

Population

40.7

Median age

$68,359

Median household income

$30,610

Per capita income

$151,500

Median home value

$810

Median monthly rent

80.3%

Home ownership

7.8%

Poverty rate

3.3%

Unemployment

384

Housing units

29.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	282	26.0%
18 and over	804	74.0%
65 and over	225	20.7%
Median age	40.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95%

Two or more races 2.4%

Black or African American 1.7%

Hispanic or Latino 0.5%

Other race 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	1,036	95%
Two or more races	26	2.4%
Black or African American	19	1.7%
Hispanic or Latino	5	0.5%
Other race	5	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 6.0%

$10k–$15k 4.0%

$15k–$25k 7.0%

$25k–$35k 2.7%

$35k–$50k 13.5%

$50k–$75k 20.0%

$75k–$100k 19.7%

$100k–$150k 21.2%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k+ 2.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.0%
$10k–$15k	4.0%
$15k–$25k	7.0%
$25k–$35k	2.7%
$35k–$50k	13.5%
$50k–$75k	20.0%
$75k–$100k	19.7%
$100k–$150k	21.2%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
$200k+	2.0%
Median income	$68,359

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.5%

$50k–$100k 20.2%

$100k–$150k 22.7%

$150k–$200k 18.9%

$200k–$300k 13.4%

$300k–$500k 15.2%

$500k–$1M 2.5%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$151,500
Median rent / month	$810
Owner occupied	80.3%
Renter occupied	19.7%
Vacant	13.4%
Single-family detached	92.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	3.7%
Median rooms	7.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.73

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.3%
2000–2009	6.3%
1990–1999	8.0%
1980–1989	6.0%
1970–1979	14.5%
1960–1969	6.9%
1950–1959	5.8%
1940–1949	3.2%
1939 or earlier	44.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.0%
2 bedrooms	30.5%
3 bedrooms	28.7%
4 bedrooms	28.1%
5+ bedrooms	9.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.0%
1 vehicle	14.7%
2 vehicles	35.2%
3 or more	47.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	39.9%
Electricity	34.9%
Propane / LP gas	18.5%
Wood	4.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	251	62.6%
Cohabiting couple	2	0.5%
Male householder, no spouse	57	14.2%
Female householder, no spouse	91	22.7%
Households with children under 18	101	25.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	150	37.4%
Average household size	2.71

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.8%	14.0%
Married	57.2%	59.8%
Separated	1.8%	2.3%
Widowed	5.3%	16.8%
Divorced	4.8%	7.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.9%

Some HS, no diploma 1.1%

HS graduate 35.8%

Some college, no degree 18.0%

Associate's degree 12.3%

Bachelor's degree 19.8%

Graduate / professional 10.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.0%
Bachelor's or higher	29.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	63	22.4%
Kindergarten	31	11.0%
Elementary school	103	36.7%
High school	32	11.4%
College / grad school	52	18.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.3%

Construction 15.6%

Retail trade 14.2%

Transportation & utilities 8.9%

Finance & real estate 7.5%

Manufacturing 7.1%

Public administration 5.9%

Other services 5.7%

Agriculture & mining 4.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.7%

Professional & management 1.8%

Wholesale trade 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	42.6%
Service	8.3%
Sales & office	14.2%
Natural resources & construction	19.1%
Production & transportation	15.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	59.4%
Government	26.6%
Self-employed	14.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	70.6%
Carpool	15.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.2%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.1

Poverty

All people 7.8%

Under 18 years 7.8%

18 and over 7.8%

Married-couple families 4.0%

Female-led households 29.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.1%
Retirement income	27.2%
Supplemental Security	3.2%
Cash public assistance	5.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.8%
High cholesterol	34.9%
Heart disease	6.6%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	8.1%
Arthritis	27.2%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.1%
Cancer	7.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.1%
No physical activity	24.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.6%
Fair or poor health	11.3%
Poor mental health	10.8%
Poor physical health	9.1%
No health insurance	12.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.2%
Visited dentist	62.9%
Cholesterol screening	89.9%
Teeth loss	11.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	50	6.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.3%
Under 18	0.7%
18–64 years	13.0%
65 and over	39.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	78.9%
Public insurance	33.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	982	90.4%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,086	100.0%
Born in same state	1,086	100.0%
Born in different state	994	91.5%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	110	10.1%
English	42	3.9%
Italian	40	3.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	15	1.4%
Polish	3	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.9%
Internet access	92.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Sterling, NE have?

Sterling, NE has one ZIP code: 68443. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.