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Sterling, Nebraska facts for kids

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Sterling, Nebraska
Village
Downtown Sterling: Broadway
Downtown Sterling: Broadway
Motto(s): 
"Small Town...Big Heart"
Location of Sterling, Nebraska
Location of Sterling, Nebraska
Country United States
State Nebraska
County Johnson
Area
 • Total 0.41 sq mi (1.05 km2)
 • Land 0.41 sq mi (1.05 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,201 ft (366 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 482
 • Estimate 
(2021)
486
 • Density 1,176/sq mi (459.0/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
68443
Area code(s) 402
FIPS code 31-47150
GNIS feature ID 2399896
Website http://www.ci.sterling.ne.us/

Sterling is a small village located in Johnson County, Nebraska, in the United States. In 2020, about 482 people lived there. It's known for its friendly, small-town feel.

A Look Back: Sterling's History

Sterling started as a town in 1870. This happened when the Atchison and Nebraska Railroad built its tracks to this spot. The village got its name from another town called Sterling, Illinois.

Where is Sterling? Geography Facts

Sterling is a village that covers about 0.41 square miles (1.05 square kilometers) of land. It does not have any large bodies of water within its borders.

Who Lives in Sterling? Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 782
1910 714 −8.7%
1920 804 12.6%
1930 702 −12.7%
1940 640 −8.8%
1950 547 −14.5%
1960 471 −13.9%
1970 476 1.1%
1980 526 10.5%
1990 451 −14.3%
2000 507 12.4%
2010 476 −6.1%
2020 480 0.8%
2021 (est.) 486 2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Sterling's Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 476 people living in Sterling. These people lived in 206 different homes. About 126 of these homes were families.

The village had about 1,161 people per square mile. Most people living in Sterling were White (99.8%). A small number (1.7%) were Hispanic or Latino.

About 30.6% of homes had children under 18 living there. Many homes (51.5%) were married couples. The average age of people in Sterling was 40.8 years old.

Fun Things to Do: Arts and Culture

Yearly Events in Sterling

  • Johnson County Fair: Every August, Sterling hosts the Johnson County Fair. This event has parades, carnival rides, and animal shows. You can also see arts and crafts and watch a softball tournament.
  • Antique Tractor & Machinery Show: Also in August, the Deer Creek Sodbusters club puts on this show. It celebrates old farm equipment and America's farming past. The event started in 1983 and now includes family fun. In 1999, the U.S. Library of Congress called it a "Local Legacy."

Outdoor Adventures: Parks and Recreation

The Wirth Brothers Lake is a great place to visit. It's a 27-acre lake located about nine miles from Sterling. Here, you can go tent camping, fishing, and practice archery.

Famous People from Sterling

  • Hal Borland: A well-known author and editor.
  • Gail Kopplin: A person who served in the Nebraska Legislature, helping to make laws for the state.

Learning in Sterling: Education

Sterling is part of the Sterling Public Schools district. This district has an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Students attend Sterling High School.

See also

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

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