Sterling leans heavily Republican by roughly 42 points: about 29% of voters vote Democratic and 71% Republican.
About 75% of adults in Sterling typically vote, above the U.S. average of about 62%. Among adults in Sterling, ~22% vote Democratic, ~53% Republican, and ~25% don't vote. The map below shows estimated turnout by block group.
How Sterling compares
Among cities within 25 miles, Sterling leans more Republican than 125 of 136 neighbors.
Sterling runs about 40 points more Republican than Pennsylvania as a whole.
Why Sterling leans the way it does
Density, race composition, education, and family structure all sit close to their national averages in Sterling. The lean here lands roughly where demographic data alone would predict.
Walkability and Democratic lean
Places with a highly walkable street grid tend to lean Democratic; Sterling, PA sits in the top quarter nationally on this measure. A walkable street grid does not change how people vote; it mostly reflects how urban a place is.
Why turnout in Sterling looks the way it does
Turnout in Sterling sits close to the national pattern. Routine healthcare access, homeownership, education, and food security all land near their national averages here. Learn more about the findings and methodology on the political spectrum map.
Nearby Cities
- Bloomington, PA R+36
- Newfoundland, PA R+40
- Lake Ariel, PA R+36
- Moscow, PA R+22
- Greentown, PA R+30
- Daleville, PA R+28
- Panther, PA R+45
- South Sterling, PA R+2
- Elmhurst, PA R+8
Cities with Similar Populations
- Wetmore, CO R+42
- Marysville, ID R+65
- Surfside, MA D+28
- Islesboro, ME D+28
- North Bend, PA R+58
- Botha, VA R+33
- Edwardsville, AL R+77
- Oak Valley, TX R+56
- Sherwood Forest, FL R+27
- Brisbin, PA R+61
Sources and methodology
Precinct-level voting records used to fit the model come from Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Elections, distributed by the Voting and Election Science Team. Demographic inputs come from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year estimates and the 2020 Decennial Census). Health and environmental inputs come from the CDC (PLACES and the Environmental Justice Index). Land cover comes from the USGS and EPA. Election-day and lead-up weather come from PRISM 4km daily grids and the NOAA Global Historical Climatology Network. Mail-voting and election-administration patterns come from the MIT Election Lab's Survey of the Performance of American Elections. Block-group crime detail comes from CrimeGrade. Internet data and modeling support provided by ISPreports.org.
Modeling and analysis by the BestNeighborhood data science team. Full methodology and findings: political spectrum map.
Methodology reviewed by the BestNeighborhood data team. Last updated May 2026.