Sterling, Virginia Income Statistics
Sterling Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
A
Sterling Above average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Sterling | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $126,633 | $93,527 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,975 | $68,139 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.9% | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 19.0% | 18.3% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 22.5% | 17.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sterling is about 35% higher than in Virginia. Income has been growing faster in Sterling (4.9%/yr) than in Virginia (4.3%/yr).
About 19% of adults in Sterling earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Virginia average of 18%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Sterling, Virginia grew by 56.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $126,633 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Sterling
| Metric | Sterling | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.540 | 0.544 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $64,200 | $78,585 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $58,217 | $62,626 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 9.3% | 20.3% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Sterling, it is 0.540, about the same as Virginia's 0.544, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 10% more than women's income in Sterling, Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 10% wage gap accumulates to roughly $209,405 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sterling, Virginia has narrowed from about 20% to 9% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 31% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,384 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sterling | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.6% | 18.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 652 people are unemployed in Sterling, Virginia.
The average commute time in Sterling is 21 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sterling, Virginia has fallen from 4.7% to 3.5% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 5.8% in 2020 and fell as low as 3.4% in 2016.
Sterling, VA Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Sterling, VA compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling, VA | 31,188 | $126,633 #2/2 | 4.9%/yr #1/2 | 3.5% #1/2 | 0.540 #2/2 |
| Herndon, VA | 24,312 | $149,517 | 4.5%/yr | 4.1% | 0.521 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sterling, Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it somewhat better than Virginia, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Sterling, Virginia.
How Rich Is Sterling, Virginia?
Sterling has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $126,633, about 35% higher than the Virginia average of $93,527.
How fast is household income rising in Sterling, Virginia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Sterling, Virginia rose 57%, from $80,703 to $126,633. Over the same years, income here outpaced Virginia as a whole: +57% against +55%.
What was the median household income in Sterling in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sterling, Virginia was $127,600, up 5% from $121,896 in 2022. The Virginia median that year was $91,420.
What was the median household income in Sterling in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sterling, Virginia was $103,722. By 2024 it had risen 22% to $126,633.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sterling, Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Sterling is 0.540. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Sterling, Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sterling, Virginia has narrowed from about 20% to 9% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 31% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,384 since 2009.
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