61081 ZIP Code
Sterling, Illinois
December 15, 2025
| ZIP Code: | 61081 |
| City/Town: | Sterling |
| County: | Whiteside |
| State: | Illinois |
| ZIP Type: | Standard |
| Population: | 21,138 |
| Median Household Income: | $57,618 |
| Per Capita Income: | $37,629 |
| Total Housing Units: | 9,787 |
| Median Home Value: | $120,000 |
| Land Area: | 124.4 sq miles
322.2 sq km |
| Water Area: | 2.1 sq miles
5.5 sq km |
| Coordinates: | 41.8500, -89.7394 |
Population Information (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population: | 21,138 | -- | -- |
| Male: | 10,801 | 51.1% | 49.6% |
| Female: | 10,337 | 48.9% | 50.4% |
| Median Age: | 44.0 yrs | -- | 38.5 yrs |
| Under 5 years: | 935 | 4.4% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 years: | 1,319 | 6.2% | 6.0% |
| 10 to 14 years: | 1,353 | 6.4% | 6.5% |
| 15 to 19 years: | 1,148 | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| 20 to 24 years: | 1,501 | 7.1% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 2,205 | 10.4% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 2,425 | 11.5% | 12.9% |
| 45 to 54 years: | 2,666 | 12.6% | 12.4% |
| 55 to 59 years: | 1,472 | 7.0% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years: | 1,215 | 5.7% | 6.4% |
| 65 to 74 years: | 2,853 | 13.5% | 9.7% |
| 75 to 84 years: | 1,347 | 6.4% | 4.8% |
| 85 years and over: | 699 | 3.3% | 2.0% |
Housing Information (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value: | $120,000 | -- | $281,900 |
| Median rooms: | 5.9 | -- | 5.5 |
| Median rent: | $763 / mo. | -- | $1,268 / mo. |
| Total housing units: | 9,787 | -- | -- |
| Occupied housing units: | 8,831 | 90.2% | 38.0% |
| Vacant housing units: | 956 | 9.8% | 4.6% |
| Housing tenure: | -- | -- | -- |
| Owner-occupied: | 6,243 | 70.7% | 64.8% |
| Renter-occupied: | 2,588 | 29.3% | 35.2% |
Educational Attainment (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over: | 14,882 | -- | -- |
| Less than 9th grade: | 527 | 3.5% | 4.7% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 810 | 5.4% | 6.1% |
| High school graduate: | 5,471 | 36.8% | 26.4% |
| Some college, no degree: | 3,756 | 25.2% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree: | 1,543 | 10.4% | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 1,659 | 11.1% | 20.9% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 1,116 | 7.5% | 13.7% |
| Percent high school graduate or higher: | -- | 91.0% | 89.1% |
| Percent bachelor's degree or higher: | -- | 18.6% | 34.3% |
Income Information (61081 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income: | $57,618 / yr. | $75,149 / yr. |
| Mean household income: | $81,451 / yr. | $105,833 / yr. |
| Median family income: | $80,547 / yr. | $92,646 / yr. |
| Per capita income: | $37,629 / yr. | $41,261 / yr. |
Employment (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In labor force: | 10,762 | -- | 63.5% |
| Employed: | 10,239 | 95.1% | 96.4% |
| Unemployed: | 523 | 4.9% | 5.3% |
| Not in labor force: | 6,628 | -- | -- |
| Class of Worker: | -- | -- | -- |
| Private wage and salary: | 8,203 | 80.1% | 79.7% |
| Government workers: | 1,592 | 15.5% | 14.2% |
| Self-employed: | 431 | 4.2% | 5.9% |
| Unpaid family workers: | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% |
Race & Ethnicity (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race (one race): | -- | -- | -- |
| White: | 17,553 | 83.0% | 61.6% |
| Black or African American: | 435 | 2.1% | 12.4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native: | 78 | 0.4% | 1.1% |
| Asian: | 267 | 1.3% | 6.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: | 14 | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Some other race: | 632 | 3.0% | 8.4% |
| Two or more races: | 2,159 | 10.2% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race): | 1,767 | 8.4% | 18.7% |
| Mexican: | 4,442 | 21.0% | 11.2% |
| Puerto Rican: | 3,581 | 16.9% | 1.8% |
| Cuban: | 361 | 1.7% | 0.7% |
| Other Hispanic or Latino: | 35 | 0.2% | 5.0% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino: | 465 | 2.2% | 81.1% |
Income Distribution (61081 zip code)
| Household Income | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000: | 467 | 5.3% | 4.9% |
| $10,000 to $14,999: | 364 | 4.1% | 3.8% |
| $15,000 to $24,999: | 854 | 9.7% | 7.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999: | 773 | 8.8% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999: | 1,365 | 15.5% | 10.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999: | 1,459 | 16.5% | 16.1% |
| $75,000 to $99,999: | 1,053 | 11.9% | 12.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,564 | 17.7% | 17.1% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 538 | 6.1% | 8.8% |
| $200,000 or more: | 394 | 4.5% | 11.4% |
Commute to Work (61081 zip code)
| Commute Method | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone: | 7,956 | 77.7% | 67.8% |
| Carpooled: | 1,171 | 11.4% | 8.7% |
| Public transportation: | 54 | 0.5% | 4.2% |
| Walked: | 511 | 5.0% | 2.5% |
| Other means: | 163 | 1.6% | 0.9% |
| Worked from home: | 217 | 2.1% | 13.8% |
| Mean travel time to work: | 19.0 min | -- | 26.7 min |
Industry (61081 zip code)
| Industry Sector | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: | 194 | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Construction: | 558 | 5.4% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing: | 1,802 | 17.6% | 10.0% |
| Wholesale trade: | 250 | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| Retail trade: | 1,384 | 13.5% | 11.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities: | 702 | 6.9% | 5.8% |
| Information: | 64 | 0.6% | 1.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate: | 400 | 3.9% | 6.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management: | 782 | 7.6% | 12.1% |
| Education, health care, social services: | 2,186 | 21.3% | 23.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food services: | 973 | 9.5% | 9.0% |
| Other services: | 419 | 4.1% | 4.7% |
| Public administration: | 525 | 5.1% | 4.7% |
Poverty Status (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate: | -- | 12.5% | 8.8% |
| All people below poverty level: | -- | -- | -- |
| Under 18 years: | -- | -- | 16.3% |
| 18 to 64 years: | -- | -- | 11.0% |
| 65 years and over: | -- | -- | 10.3% |
Health Insurance (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With health insurance: | 19,753 | 93.4% | 91.3% |
| Private health insurance: | 14,608 | 69.1% | 67.6% |
| Public health coverage: | 8,941 | 42.3% | 35.9% |
| Without health insurance: | 1,018 | 4.8% | 8.7% |
Benefits & Assistance (61081 zip code)
| Households with: | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings: | 6,146 | 69.6% | 77.4% |
| Social Security income: | 3,235 | 36.6% | 31.0% |
| Retirement income: | 2,820 | 31.9% | 21.8% |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): | 453 | 5.1% | 4.5% |
| Cash public assistance income: | 135 | 1.5% | 1.8% |
| SNAP (food stamps) benefits: | 1,266 | 14.3% | 11.4% |
Housing Types (61081 zip code)
| Structure Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-unit, detached: | 7,258 | 74.2% | 61.4% |
| 1-unit, attached: | 173 | 1.8% | 6.1% |
| 2 units: | 822 | 8.4% | 3.4% |
| 3 or 4 units: | 339 | 3.5% | 4.3% |
| 5 to 9 units: | 449 | 4.6% | 4.6% |
| 10 to 19 units: | 162 | 1.7% | 4.3% |
| 20 or more units: | 525 | 5.4% | 9.9% |
| Mobile home: | 10 | 0.1% | 5.8% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc.: | 49 | 0.5% | 0.1% |
Year Structure Built (61081 zip code)
| Year Built | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.6% |
| Built 2010 to 2019: | 287 | 2.9% | 8.2% |
| Built 2000 to 2009: | 557 | 5.7% | 13.5% |
| Built 1990 to 1999: | 1,012 | 10.3% | 13.2% |
| Built 1980 to 1989: | 500 | 5.1% | 13.2% |
| Built 1970 to 1979: | 1,529 | 15.6% | 14.6% |
| Built 1960 to 1969: | 1,080 | 11.0% | 10.2% |
| Built 1950 to 1959: | 1,822 | 18.6% | 9.9% |
| Built 1940 to 1949: | 569 | 5.8% | 4.6% |
| Built 1939 or earlier: | 2,431 | 24.8% | 12.0% |
Bedrooms (61081 zip code)
| Number of Bedrooms | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio): | 225 | 2.3% | 2.4% |
| 1 bedroom: | 833 | 8.5% | 3.0% |
| 2 bedrooms: | 2,637 | 26.9% | 9.1% |
| 3 bedrooms: | 4,170 | 42.6% | 15.9% |
| 4 bedrooms: | 1,572 | 16.1% | 18.8% |
| 5 or more bedrooms: | 350 | 3.6% | 17.6% |
Heating Fuel (61081 zip code)
| Fuel Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas: | 6,332 | 71.7% | 47.1% |
| Bottled, tank, or LP gas: | 713 | 8.1% | 4.9% |
| Electricity: | 1,730 | 19.6% | 40.2% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.: | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% |
| Coal or coke: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Wood: | 13 | 0.1% | 1.5% |
| Solar energy: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Other fuel: | 18 | 0.2% | 0.5% |
| No fuel used: | 25 | 0.3% | 0.2% |
Vehicles Available (61081 zip code)
| Vehicles | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available: | 600 | 6.8% | 8.3% |
| 1 vehicle available: | 3,526 | 39.9% | 32.6% |
| 2 vehicles available: | 3,000 | 34.0% | 37.0% |
| 3 or more vehicles available: | 1,705 | 19.3% | 22.1% |
Home Value Distribution (61081 zip code)
| Value Range | Owner Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $50,000: | 247 | 4.0% | 5.7% |
| $50,000 to $99,999: | 1,967 | 31.5% | 7.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,704 | 27.3% | 9.2% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 962 | 15.4% | 10.8% |
| $200,000 to $299,999: | 880 | 14.1% | 19.9% |
| $300,000 to $499,999: | 319 | 5.1% | 24.1% |
| $500,000 to $999,999: | 139 | 2.2% | 17.0% |
| $1,000,000 or more: | 25 | 0.4% | 5.6% |
Housing Costs (61081 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner costs (with mortgage): | $1,177 / mo. | $1,828 / mo. |
| Median owner costs (no mortgage): | $511 / mo. | $584 / mo. |
| Median gross rent: | $763 / mo. | $1,268 / mo. |
| Average household size (owner-occupied): | 2.52 | 2.53 |
| Average household size (renter-occupied): | 1.90 | 2.38 |
Households (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households: | 8,831 | -- | -- |
| Married-couple households: | 3,822 | 43.3% | 47.5% |
| Cohabiting couple households: | 1,098 | 12.4% | 7.0% |
| Male householder, no spouse: | 1,815 | 20.6% | 5.4% |
| Female householder, no spouse: | 2,472 | 28.0% | 12.7% |
| Householder living alone: | 2,368 | 26.8% | 28.6% |
| 65 years and over living alone: | 3,410 | 38.6% | 11.8% |
| Average household size: | 2.34 | -- | 2.53 |
| Average family size: | 2.91 | -- | -- |
Marital Status (61081 zip code)
| Population 15 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 8,816 | -- | -- |
| Never married: | 3,461 | 39.3% | 37.0% |
| Now married: | 4,211 | 47.8% | 49.5% |
| Separated: | 333 | 3.8% | 1.5% |
| Widowed: | 679 | 7.7% | 2.6% |
| Divorced: | 2,424 | 27.5% | 9.3% |
School Enrollment (61081 zip code)
| Population 3 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in school: | 4,194 | -- | -- |
| Nursery school, preschool: | 355 | 8.5% | 5.8% |
| Kindergarten: | 153 | 3.6% | 5.0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 2,044 | 48.7% | 40.5% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,051 | 25.1% | 21.4% |
| College or graduate school: | 591 | 14.1% | 27.3% |
Veterans & Disability (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian population 18 years and over: | 16,947 | -- | -- |
| Veterans: | 1,422 | 8.4% | 6.3% |
| Civilian noninstitutionalized population: | 20,771 | -- | -- |
| With a disability: | 3,141 | 15.1% | 13.4% |
| Under 18 with disability: | 277 | 8.8% | 5.8% |
| 18 to 64 with disability: | 1,231 | 39.2% | 10.4% |
| 65 and over with disability: | 1,633 | 52.0% | 33.4% |
Mobility (Residence 1 Year Ago) (61081 zip code)
| Population 1 year and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same house: | 18,858 | 89.2% | 86.9% |
| Different house: | 2,107 | 10.0% | 13.1% |
| Same county: | 1,569 | 74.5% | 7.0% |
| Different county: | 517 | 24.5% | 3.2% |
| Different state: | 112 | 5.3% | 2.5% |
| Abroad: | 21 | 1.0% | 0.4% |
Place of Birth (61081 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native born: | 20,147 | 95.3% | 86.2% |
| Foreign born: | 278 | 1.3% | 13.9% |
| Naturalized citizen: | 991 | 356.5% | 52.7% |
| Not a citizen: | 991 | 356.5% | 47.3% |
| Foreign-born by region: | -- | -- | -- |
| Europe: | 991 | 356.5% | 10.5% |
| Asia: | 146 | 52.5% | 31.3% |
| Africa: | 57 | 20.5% | 5.5% |
| Oceania: | 14 | 5.0% | 0.5% |
| Latin America: | 546 | 196.4% | 50.0% |
| Northern America: | 7 | 2.5% | 2.2% |
Language Spoken at Home (61081 zip code)
| Population 5 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 20,203 | -- | -- |
| English only: | 17,958 | 88.9% | 78.3% |
| Language other than English: | 2,245 | 11.1% | 21.5% |
| By language: | -- | -- | -- |
| Spanish: | 1,704 | 8.4% | 13.3% |
| Other Indo-European languages: | 288 | 1.4% | 3.5% |
| Asian/Pacific Island languages: | 181 | 0.9% | 3.5% |
| Other languages: | 72 | 0.4% | 1.0% |
Computers & Internet (61081 zip code)
| Households | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with a computer: | 8,831 | 100.0% | 93.1% |
| Households with broadband internet: | 8,010 | 90.7% | 89.4% |
Sterling, IL61081