Signals
Clinton
Sterling
Growth
30 · Bottom 19%
vs23 · Bottom 11%
Climate
59 · Bottom 21%
vs57 · Bottom 18%
Physical resilience
63 · Top 40%
vs67 · Top 34%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
83 · Top 35%
vs79 · Top 44%
Economic stability
57 · Top 43%
vs61 · Top 37%
Measured values
| Metric | Clinton | Sterling | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,268 | 54,947 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $67,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,684 | $37,312 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 67/sq mi | 80/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $160,600 | $127,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $850 | $856 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 74.5% | 76.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.4% | 20.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | 12.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 102 | 27 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.2 | 0.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -22.7% | 3.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 14°F | 12°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 38.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 31 mi | 37 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.0 min | 21.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.4 | 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
Clinton
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, hail, tornado.
Sterling
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Full profiles: Clinton, IA Micro Area · Sterling, IL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology