Sterling ZIP Codes — Cayuga County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Sterling, New York and it is 13156. Area code: 315.
1
ZIP codes
29.43
sq mi land
2.33
sq mi water
315
area code
Sterling, NY ZIP code map

About Sterling, NY

Sterling is a charming hamlet located in Cayuga County, New York. This small community has its own unique character and is part of the greater Finger Lakes region. With its picturesque landscapes and close-knit atmosphere, Sterling is a delightful place to explore and reside.

Location & geography

Sterling is conveniently situated in the central part of New York State, approximately 30 miles northwest of Syracuse. The hamlet is bordered by the scenic shores of Lake Ontario to the north, and neighboring cities include Oswego to the northeast, Auburn to the south, and Fair Haven to the southwest. The area's terrain consists of a mix of rolling hills and water bodies, with a land area of 29.43 square miles and a water area of 2.33 square miles.

Community & economy

The community in Sterling is characterized by its warm and welcoming residents, offering a relaxed lifestyle that appeals to those who appreciate nature and small-town charm. Many of the local industries are centered around agriculture, tourism, and recreational activities, particularly given the proximity to the lake. Daily life here often revolves around community events, outdoor activities, and a shared appreciation for the area's natural beauty.

Transportation

Sterling is accessible via several highways, including New York State Route 104, which connects it to other regional destinations. The nearest major airport is Syracuse Hancock International Airport, located about 30 miles to the southeast. Public transportation options are limited, but local roads provide easy navigation throughout the area.

History

Sterling was founded in the early 19th century, during a period of westward expansion in New York. The area's economy historically revolved around agriculture and fishing, taking advantage of its rich natural resources. Notable events include the establishment of local festivals that celebrate the region's heritage and seasonal activities on Lake Ontario.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Sterling is that this hamlet is home to beautiful parks and nature reserves, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the area is known for its vibrant autumn foliage, attracting visitors during the fall season.

ZIP codes for Sterling, NY (1)
ZIP code City County Map
13156 Sterling Cayuga View map

Demographics & statistics

2,169
Population
55.3
Median age
$59,521
Median household income
$33,732
Per capita income
$150,000
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
88.0%
Home ownership
6.5%
Poverty rate
2.6%
Unemployment
1,565
Housing units
25.1%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
48
Under 5
43
54
5–9
47
27
10–14
23
18
15–19
16
95
20–24
84
93
25–34
81
80
35–44
71
150
45–54
132
145
55–59
128
128
60–64
112
128
65–74
113
109
75–84
96
79
85+
69
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1826512.2%
18 and over1,90487.8%
65 and over59427.4%
Median age55.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.5%
Hispanic or Latino 5.1%
Other race 4%
Two or more races 1.9%
Black or African American 0.4%
GroupCount%
White2,02288.5%
Hispanic or Latino1175.1%
Other race924%
Two or more races441.9%
Black or African American100.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.6%
$10k–$15k 0.7%
$15k–$25k 7.0%
$25k–$35k 8.8%
$35k–$50k 14.8%
$50k–$75k 31.2%
$75k–$100k 8.8%
$100k–$150k 17.9%
$150k–$200k 5.6%
$200k+ 1.7%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.6%
$10k–$15k0.7%
$15k–$25k7.0%
$25k–$35k8.8%
$35k–$50k14.8%
$50k–$75k31.2%
$75k–$100k8.8%
$100k–$150k17.9%
$150k–$200k5.6%
$200k+1.7%
Median income$59,521

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.8%
$50k–$100k 27.7%
$100k–$150k 18.5%
$150k–$200k 29.7%
$200k–$300k 6.1%
$300k–$500k 14.1%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$150,000
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied88.0%
Renter occupied12.0%
Vacant41.7%
Single-family detached82.1%
Large apartment buildings1.1%
Mobile homes10.8%
Median rooms5.6
Avg household size (owned)2.31

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20195.9%
2000–200910.4%
1990–19997.4%
1980–198911.5%
1970–19794.4%
1960–19697.5%
1950–19598.9%
1940–19497.1%
1939 or earlier36.8%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom12.9%
2 bedrooms28.9%
3 bedrooms42.1%
4 bedrooms16.0%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle7.0%
1 vehicle26.9%
2 vehicles54.0%
3 or more12.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas0.9%
Electricity10.8%
Propane / LP gas29.3%
Fuel oil29.9%
Wood24.6%
Solar1.5%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family52753.7%
Cohabiting couple757.6%
Male householder, no spouse25225.7%
Female householder, no spouse12813.0%
Households with children under 1811411.6%
Households with seniors (65+)42843.6%
Average household size2.20

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married25.4%21.4%
Married51.5%56.7%
Separated0.0%0.3%
Widowed11.6%6.7%
Divorced11.4%14.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.8%
Some HS, no diploma 0.4%
HS graduate 30.6%
Some college, no degree 21.8%
Associate's degree 17.2%
Bachelor's degree 14.0%
Graduate / professional 11.1%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher94.7%
Bachelor's or higher25.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool123.8%
Kindergarten51.6%
Elementary school10934.4%
High school4313.6%
College / grad school14846.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.3%
Construction 18.3%
Manufacturing 14.3%
Arts, food & hospitality 10.2%
Retail trade 6.1%
Wholesale trade 4.9%
Finance & real estate 4.6%
Professional & management 3.6%
Public administration 3.6%
Other services 3.5%
Transportation & utilities 2.6%
Agriculture & mining 2.2%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts42.0%
Service17.2%
Sales & office14.3%
Natural resources & construction10.0%
Production & transportation16.5%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector71.4%
Government22.4%
Self-employed6.2%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone77.5%
Carpool3.1%
Public transit0.0%
Walk9.3%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)29.0

Poverty

All people 6.5%
Under 18 years 10.8%
18 and over 5.9%
Married-couple families 1.5%
Female-led households 3.7%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security47.0%
Retirement income41.0%
Supplemental Security9.6%
Cash public assistance2.0%
Food stamps / SNAP14.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.6%
High cholesterol36.5%
Heart disease7.6%
Stroke3.4%
Asthma10.5%
Arthritis26.7%
Kidney disease3.2%
Pulmonary disease8.6%
Cancer7.6%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.2%
No physical activity25.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep34.0%
Fair or poor health14.4%
Poor mental health14.3%
Poor physical health11.4%
No health insurance10.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)78.9%
Visited dentist61.4%
Cholesterol screening91.7%
Teeth loss15.6%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans1899.9%
Disability%
Any disability23.5%
Under 186.4%
18–64 years17.6%
65 and over44.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance65.4%
Public insurance48.9%
Uninsured under 199.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only2,07895.8%
Spanish432.1%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander432.1%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)2,09696.6%
Born in same state2,09696.6%
Born in different state1,79482.7%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen733.4%
Not a US citizen73100.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French52124%
Italian40018.4%
English1758.1%
Arab924.2%
AncestryCount%
German331.5%
Irish130.6%
Polish100.5%
Dutch20.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access45.3%
Internet access93.9%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Sterling, NY have?
Sterling, NY has one ZIP code: 13156. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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