# Sterling

> City / Census Designated Place

**Wikidata**: [Q994379](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q994379)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling,_Virginia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sterling

## Summary
Sterling is a census-designated place (CDP) and city located in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. Situated in the Eastern Time Zone, it had a population of 30,337 as of the 2020 United States Census. The area covers approximately 14.27 square kilometers and serves as a significant human settlement with multiple postal codes, including 20164, 20165, and 20166.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** City / Census Designated Place (CDP).
*   **Location:** Loudoun County, Virginia, United States.
*   **Population:** 30,337 (2020 Census); 27,822 (2010 Census).
*   **Area:** 14.266575 square kilometres (as of April 1, 2010).
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude 39.0052378, Longitude -77.4050427.
*   **Elevation:** 102 meters above sea level.
*   **Time Zone:** Eastern Time Zone.
*   **Per Capita Income:** $37,612 (2016–2020 American Community Survey).
*   **Households:** 9,251 (2016–2020 American Community Survey).
*   **Postal Codes:** 20163, 20164, 20165, 20166, 20167.
*   **Water Coverage:** 0.4953% of the total area.

## FAQs
**What are the administrative and geographic divisions of Sterling?**
Sterling is administratively located within Loudoun County in the state of Virginia, United States. It is classified geographically as a census-designated place (CDP) and falls within the Eastern Time Zone.

**How has the population of Sterling changed recently?**
According to the United States Census, the population increased from 27,822 residents on April 1, 2010, to 30,337 residents on April 1, 2020.

**What are the specific postal codes used in Sterling?**
The area utilizes five postal codes: 20163 and 20167 (specifically for post office boxes), and 20164, 20165, and 20166, which correspond to specific geographic coordinates within the locality.

## Why It Matters
Sterling represents a distinct and tracked urban cluster within the rapidly growing region of Loudoun County. Its significance is underscored by its detailed demographic tracking through the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Community Survey, providing granular data on household counts and per capita income. As a census-designated place, it serves as a key example of a human settlement that functions as a city but maintains a distinct administrative classification. Its presence across multiple international knowledge bases—ranging from Geonames to the Library of Congress—highlights its relevance as a recognized geographic entity.

## Notable For
*   **Demographic Tracking:** Features comprehensive census data spanning from 2010 to 2020, showing consistent population growth.
*   **Granular Postal Coverage:** Uniquely defined by five different zip codes, with specific coordinates mapping to 20164, 20165, and 20166.
*   **Global Identifiers:** Possesses a wide array of unique identifiers across academic and digital platforms, including VIAF, MusicBrainz, Yale LUX, and the National Library of Israel.
*   **Multilingual Presence:** Its Wikipedia entry exists in over 20 languages, including Azerbaijani, Bulgarian, Persian, and Simplified Chinese.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Sterling is situated in the eastern part of the United States within Loudoun County, Virginia. Its precise geographic center is located at latitude 39.0052378 and longitude -77.4050427. The settlement spans a total area of 14.266575 square kilometres, based on data recorded on April 1, 2010. The terrain is situated at an elevation of 102 meters above sea level. Water bodies comprise a negligible portion of the landscape, covering only 0.4953% of the total area. The locality operates within the Eastern Time Zone.

### Demographics and Economy
The population of Sterling has seen measurable growth over the last decade. The 2010 United States Census recorded a population of 27,822. By the 2020 United States Census, this number had risen to 30,337, a preferred data point in the knowledge base.

Economic data provided by the 2016–2020 American Community Survey (conducted with survey methodology ending December 31, 2020) indicates the area contains 9,251 households. The same survey period reports a per capita income of $37,612 (USD).

### Postal Infrastructure
The "Sterling" designation covers multiple delivery zones managed by the United States Postal Service.
*   **20164:** Centered approximately at 39.0105° N, 77.3983° W.
*   **20165:** Centered approximately at 39.0491° N, 77.3900° W.
*   **20166:** Centered approximately at 38.9922° N, 77.4511° W.
*   **20163 and 20167:** These codes are specifically designated for Post Office Box services rather than geographic delivery routes.

### Naming and Aliases
The entity is officially recognized as "Sterling." It is frequently referred to as "Sterling, Virginia" or "Sterling, VA." An alternative name, "Potomac Falls," is also associated with the location. Internationally, it is known by various names including "斯特灵" and "斯特林" (Chinese), "スターリング (ヴァージニア州)" (Japanese), and "Sterling (Virginia)" in various European languages.

### Digital and Academic Identifiers
Sterling is extensively cataloged across global library and database systems.
*   **Library Codes:** It holds a Library of Congress Authority ID (`n78045691`) and a National Library of Israel J9u ID (`987007545635505171`).
*   **Database IDs:** The community is tracked in Data Commons (`geoId/5175376`), GeoNames (`4787534`), and Who's on First (`101729433`).
*   **Cultural Archives:** It possesses an Archinform location ID (`38972`) and a MusicBrainz area ID (`7d80f2fa-235a-4590-9b6e-5d9f371066eb`), indicating relevance beyond simple geography into architecture and music metadata.
*   **Standard Codes:** Its FIPS 55-3 code is `51-75376`, and its GNIS feature IDs are `2584925` (for the CDP) and `1500160` (for the human settlement).

### Media and Visual Representation
Visual documentation of the area includes a locator map (`VAMap-doton-Sterling.PNG`) and photographic imagery hosted on Wikimedia Commons, specifically featuring houses in Sterling Park. The Wikipedia community has categorized the topic under "Category:Sterling, Virginia." Information about the locale is available in approximately 22 site links across different language Wikipedias, including English, Spanish, German, French, and Ukrainian.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.geonames.org/4787534/sterling.html)
2. Geographic Names Information System
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files
7. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
8. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
9. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
10. GeoNames
11. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
13. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)