Signals
Sterling
Freeport
Growth
23 · Bottom 11%
vs26 · Bottom 14%
Climate
57 · Bottom 18%
vs57 · Bottom 17%
Physical resilience
67 · Top 34%
vs66 · Top 36%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
79 · Top 44%
vs67 · Bottom 32%
Economic stability
61 · Top 37%
vs53 · Top 46%
Measured values
| Metric | Sterling | Freeport | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,947 | 43,768 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $67,500 | $64,043 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,312 | $35,305 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 80/sq mi | 78/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $127,100 | $134,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $856 | $798 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 76.9% | 70.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 20.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 13.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 27 | 19 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.5 | 0.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 3.8% | 26.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 12°F | 11°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 38.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 37 mi | 57 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.9 min | 22.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.0 | 45.3 | 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
Sterling
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Freeport
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Full profiles: Sterling, IL Micro Area · Freeport, IL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology