🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

61081

Sterling

ZIP Code 61081 is a standard zip code serving Sterling, Sterling, Illinois (IL), in Whiteside County, United States. It has an estimated population of 21,934 with a median household income of $46,846. The area falls within the America/Chicago timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: Illinois (IL)
County: Whiteside
City: Sterling
Timezone: America/Chicago

Coordinates

Latitude: 41.805500
Longitude: -89.705400

Geographic Details

Land Area: 123.54 mi²
Water Area: 2.07 mi²
Population Density: 178.0 people per mi² (60th percentile)
Bounding Box: 41.930842°N, 41.718054°S, -89.602840°E, -89.864544°W

With 21,934 residents spread across 123.54 square miles, this area has a population density of 178.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

21,934

Population

80th percentile

$46,846

Median Income

45th percentile

$95,400

Median Home Value

30th percentile

123.54 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 61081 is $46,846, and the median home value is $95,400.

Housing

9,616

Total Units

8,833

Occupied Units

91.9%

Occupancy Rate

Similar ZIP Codes in Illinois

ZIP codes with similar median household income in Illinois.

61537

Henry

$46,893

62024

East Alton

$43,592

62888

Tamaroa

$46,894

62694

Winchester

$46,683

62449

Oblong

$46,765

62242

Evansville

$53,869

62849

Iuka

$49,702

61564

South Pekin

$51,667

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.