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Sterling, Connecticut facts for kids

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Sterling, Connecticut
Town of Sterling
Sterling's post office
Sterling's post office
Official seal of Sterling, Connecticut
Seal
Sterling's location within Windham County and Connecticut Windham County and Connecticut
Sterling's location within the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and the state of Connecticut Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut
Country  United States
U.S. state  Connecticut
County Windham
Region Northeastern CT
Incorporated 1794
Government
 • Type Selectman-town meeting
Area
 • Total 27.3 sq mi (70.7 km2)
 • Land 27.2 sq mi (70.5 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation
384 ft (117 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,578
 • Density 131.06/sq mi (50.61/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06377, 06373
Area code(s) 860/959
FIPS code 09-73420
GNIS feature ID 0213512

Sterling is a small town located in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region. In 2020, about 3,578 people lived here.

Sterling is a rural town with two main villages: Oneco and Sterling village. Each village has its own post office, a church, and a fire station. The town hall and the public library are in Oneco. The town's only public school is in Sterling village.

Sterling's History

How Sterling Got Its Name

The town of Sterling was named after John Sterling. He was one of the first people to settle in the area. Sterling officially became a town in 1794. It was created from the northern part of the town of Voluntown.

A Visit During the American Revolution

During the American Revolutionary War in 1781, a French general named Le Comte de Rochambeau marched through Sterling. He and his soldiers camped in the town. They were on their way to join George Washington's army on the Hudson River. Rochambeau's army had landed earlier in Narragansett Bay.

Early Industries

In 1800, the first cotton mill was built in Sterling. This was an important step for the town's economy. It helped create jobs and grow the community.

Famous People from Sterling

Charles Dow, who later became famous for creating the Dow Jones company, was born in Sterling.

Geography of Sterling

Sterling covers a total area of about 27.3 square miles (70.7 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 27.2 square miles (70.5 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.1 square miles (0.2 square kilometers), is water.

People of Sterling

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 1,200
1850 1,025
1860 1,051 2.5%
1870 1,022 −2.8%
1880 957 −6.4%
1890 1,051 9.8%
1900 1,209 15.0%
1910 1,283 6.1%
1920 1,266 −1.3%
1930 1,233 −2.6%
1940 1,251 1.5%
1950 1,298 3.8%
1960 1,397 7.6%
1970 1,853 32.6%
1980 1,791 −3.3%
1990 2,357 31.6%
2000 3,099 31.5%
2010 3,830 23.6%
2020 3,578 −6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2000, there were 3,099 people living in Sterling. The town's population grew quite a bit between 2000 and 2010. It was one of the fastest-growing towns in Connecticut during that time.

Most people in Sterling are White. A small number of residents are Native American or Asian. Some people are also of Hispanic or Latino background.

The average age of people in Sterling in 2000 was 34 years old. About 28% of the population was under 18 years old.

Places to See in Sterling

Education in Sterling

Sterling has its own school called the Sterling Community School. This school is newer and replaced the old Sterling Memorial School.

For high school, students from Sterling usually go to Plainfield High School in Plainfield. However, students also have other choices. They can attend Killingly High School, Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School, Quinebaug Middle College, or ACT High School.

Notable People from Sterling

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sterling (Connecticut) para niños

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