Signals
Auburn
Sterling
Growth
25 · Bottom 14%
vs23 · Bottom 11%
Climate
61 · Bottom 29%
vs57 · Bottom 18%
Physical resilience
66 · Top 34%
vs67 · Top 34%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
89 · Top 27%
vs79 · Top 44%
Economic stability
41 · Bottom 35%
vs61 · Top 37%
Measured values
| Metric | Auburn | Sterling | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,102 | 54,947 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $67,904 | $67,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,905 | $37,312 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 109/sq mi | 80/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $171,000 | $127,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $942 | $856 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.4% | 76.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 20.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 12.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 116 | 27 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 0.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -10.8% | 3.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 17°F | 12°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 38.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 25 mi | 37 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.0 min | 21.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.8 | 43.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Auburn
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Sterling
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Full profiles: Auburn, NY Micro Area · Sterling, IL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology