Texas

Sterling

1,372
2020 population
1900
first census record
13
census records

About Sterling

Sterling, Texas, first appears in the United States federal census in 1900, when it recorded a population of 1,127. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 1,372.

Its recorded population peaked at 1,493 in 1910, and has since declined by roughly 8 percent.

On the ground today, 3 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Dove Creek (Texas 1865), Battle of Dove Creek, North Concho River Engagements, and 1 place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20201,372
20101,143
20001,393
19901,438
19801,206
19701,056
19601,177
19501,282
19401,404
19301,431
19201,053
19101,493
19001,127
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Sterling

Military engagements that took place in Sterling, Texas.

Battle of Dove Creek (Texas 1865)
1865
Battle of Dove Creek
1865
North Concho River Engagements
1870

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Everything a full report reveals about Sterling County, Texas

This page charts the census history of Sterling County, Texas. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Sterling

When does Sterling first appear in the US census?
Sterling, Texas first appears in the federal census in 1900, with a recorded population of 1,127.
What is the population of Sterling?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Sterling had a recorded population of 1,372.
When did Sterling's population peak?
Sterling's recorded population peaked at 1,493 in 1910.
Were any battles fought in Sterling?
3 documented military engagements took place in Sterling, including Battle of Dove Creek (Texas 1865), Battle of Dove Creek, North Concho River Engagements.
How many historic places are in Sterling?
1 site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Sterling, Texas.
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