Sterling
Texas

What stands out

What stands out about Sterling County: home internet speed is among the slowest in America (35 Mbps), population growth is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.0% a year), and homeownership is in the top 2% of American counties (86%). Within Texas it ranks 2nd of 254 counties for home internet speed, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Sterling County, Texas. 1,392 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -46).

Texas has no income tax and no estate tax, and its constitution prohibits an income tax without a statewide vote. Property taxes are among the highest in the country and are the main source of local school funding; the 2023 legislature raised the homestead exemption to $100,000 to offset that. Homeowner insurance costs are high along the Gulf coast and rising statewide after hail and freeze events. The grid is independent of the rest of the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $63,558 a year, higher than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $60,753. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 69% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Texas has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $214K, cheaper than 58% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,133 a month. Property tax is 1.30% of home value, roughly $1,577 a year on that median home, higher than 77% of American counties. 86% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 69% of American counties.

There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 12.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.13 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 68% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 80 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 85% of eligible voters turned out. Under Texas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 67°F, highs near 80 and lows near 54, warmer than 89% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 6 out of 100, safer than 95% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 35 Mbps down, slower than almost every county in America. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation.