Living in Sterling, CT
Sterling is a 27-square-mile town in Windham County on the Rhode Island line, with the villages of Oneco and Sterling and a section of the Moosup Valley State Park Trail.
Sterling at a glance
- Median sale price
- $394,950+3.9% vs last year 38 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 21.94 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$6,100 median-priced home
- Population
- 3,694 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 27.2 sq mi 136 per sq mi
What it is like in Sterling
Sterling is in Windham County, in northeastern Connecticut. It covers 27.22 square miles and had a population of 3,694. It borders Plainfield, Voluntown and Killingly.
The town was named for early settler John Sterling and incorporated in 1794, formed from part of Voluntown. In 1781 the Comte de Rochambeau's army marched through along Plainfield Pike. A cotton mill was established in 1800.
Sterling has two villages, Oneco and Sterling village. The town hall and public library are in Oneco. The town's public school is Sterling Community School, in its own district.
The Moosup Valley State Park Trail is a 5.8-mile rail trail on the former New Haven Railroad bed. It runs from Main Street in Moosup, in Plainfield, to the Rhode Island line in Sterling.
Other listed open spaces include Neil H. Cook Memorial Park, Pitch Pine Grove Picnic Area and the Dr. Olav and Anna-Lisa Laakso Preserve. The Dorrance Inn at 748 Plainfield Pike is on the National Register of Historic Places, and Sterling Hill Historic District is shared with Plainfield.
Getting around from Sterling
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 78 min | 60 |
| New Haven | 97 min | 78 |
| Stamford | 151 min | 117 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 205 min | 153 |
| Boston | 106 min | 79 |
| Providence | 45 min | 30 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 99 min | 73 |
Rail
No passenger rail station within 8 miles.
Highways and routes
Plainfield Pike is the old Rochambeau march route through town. Drive times: Providence 45 minutes (30 miles), Hartford 78 minutes (60 miles), Boston 106 minutes (79 miles), New Haven 97 minutes (78 miles), and Bradley Airport 99 minutes (73 miles).
Schools in Sterling
1 public school in Sterling School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 1
- Sterling Community
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Sterling School District on the state's EdSight site.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. We do not rate or rank schools.
Eat, drink and explore in Sterling
Open Sterling in Google Maps →Things to do and see 1
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Pasture-raised turkey farm with a farm store selling turkey pies, local meats, dairy and ice cream, plus a seasonal corn maze.
Parks, preserves and trails 7
Parks and open space © OpenStreetMap contributors. Places to eat and visit last checked October 2026. These are not paid placements; they are simply our selection. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
Sterling housing market
Over the last 12 months, 38 homes sold in Sterling with a median sale price of $394,950 and a median of 10 days on market. There are 4 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $236 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 3.9% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 1.3 months.
Sterling's town-wide property tax rate is 21.94 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $6,100 a year. Special taxing districts, such as fire districts, can add to this, and a home's actual assessment may differ from its sale price.
Source: SmartMLS, residential sales (single-family, condo and multi-family); mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Updated November 10, 2026.
Homes for sale in Sterling
See all 4 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Sterling.
Questions about Sterling
What is the median home price in Sterling, CT?
The median sale price in Sterling is $394,950, based on 38 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Sterling, CT?
Sterling's town-wide property tax rate is 21.94 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $6,100 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Sterling, CT from Hartford?
Sterling is about 60 miles and a 78-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Sterling, CT from New York City?
Sterling is about 153 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 205-minute drive without traffic.
What is the population of Sterling, CT?
Sterling has about 3,694 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 27.2 square miles.
How many public schools are in Sterling, CT?
Sterling has 1 public school in Sterling School District. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Sterling, CT?
There are 4 homes for sale in Sterling right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
How far is Sterling from Providence?
Providence is 30 miles and about 45 minutes by car. Hartford is 60 miles and about 78 minutes.
What trails are in Sterling?
The Moosup Valley State Park Trail, a 5.8-mile rail trail that runs to the Rhode Island line.
What are Sterling's villages?
Oneco and Sterling village. The town hall and library are in Oneco.
What historic sites are in Sterling?
The Dorrance Inn at 748 Plainfield Pike and the Sterling Hill Historic District, both on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Towns that border Sterling
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