Population overview
Sterling County is home to roughly 1,349 people, making up about 0.00% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #48 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 923 square miles of land and 1,349 residents yields a density of about 1.5 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Sterling County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Sterling County sits in the bottom 25% of the population distribution. It belongs to the smaller end of Texas counties by population — typical of West Texas, the Panhandle, and the Trans-Pecos.
| Comparison | Population | vs Sterling |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling County | 1,349 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +3134% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +1302% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +373883% |
Neighboring county populations
Sterling County shares borders with 6 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Green County | San Angelo | 120,602 | 79.2 |
| Howard County | Big Spring | 30,504 | 33.8 |
| Mitchell County | Colorado City | 8,947 | 9.8 |
| Coke County | Robert Lee | 3,412 | 3.8 |
| Reagan County | Big Lake | 3,166 | 2.7 |
| Glasscock County | Garden City | 1,128 | 1.3 |
What the numbers mean
Sterling County's density of about 1.5 people per square mile is about 1% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 438 acres of land for every resident.
Below about six people per square mile, a county is often described as "frontier." Residents may live many miles from a hospital or full-service grocery, and county government is a small operation where a few officials wear many hats.
Sterling County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 241st of 254; by land area it ranks 108th; and by density it ranks 234th. It has far more land than people compared with most Texas counties.
Texas's population is extremely concentrated: the ten largest counties hold well over half of all Texans, while more than 150 counties have fewer than 30,000 residents. Sterling County belongs to that large group of smaller counties.
About the data
Population figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The decennial census provides the official count every ten years, and the Bureau's annual Population Estimates Program updates county totals between censuses. Land area comes from the Census Gazetteer and excludes water. Figures are rounded and may differ slightly from county or school district estimates that use other methods. See our methodology page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Sterling County, Texas?+
Sterling County has an estimated population of 1,349 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Sterling County?+
Sterling County has a population density of approximately 1.5 people per square mile across its 923 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Sterling County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Sterling County ranks #241 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.00% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Sterling County?+
Among the 6 counties bordering Sterling, Tom Green County is the most populous with about 120,602 residents.
How is Sterling County's population measured?+
Population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau — the decennial census and annual American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates. See our methodology for full sourcing.