Where is Sterling, Virginia, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Sterling Located? - Sterling is a city located in the Arenac County of Virginia, United States. Sterling lies between 32.9342919 Degrees North latitudes and 97.0780654 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Sterling, Virginia

Where is Sterling, Virginia

Sterling Map, Virginia, USA

Where is Sterling?: The Google Map showing the location of Sterling in the U.S. state of Virginia.

Where is Sterling Located?

Sterling is a city located in the Virginia. If referring to Sterling, the correct county is Loudoun County of Virginia, United States.. Sterling lies between 32.9342919 Degrees North latitudes and 97.0780654 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Sterling city is 30337 people and the city has a total area of 5.45 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Sterling, Virginia Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CommunitySterling
TypeCensus-Designated Place (CDP)
CountyLoudoun County
StateVirginia
State CapitalRichmond
US RegionSouthern United States
Latitude39.0062° N
Longitude77.4286° W
ElevationApproximately 315 ft (96 m)
Land Area (sq mi)27.52
Water Area (sq mi)0.20
Total Area (sq mi)27.72
Population (2020 Census)30,337
Population Density (per sq mi)1,102.3
ZIP Codes20164, 20165, 20166
Area Code571, 703
Time Zone StandardEastern Standard Time (EST), UTC−5
Time Zone DaylightEastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC−4
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code5175600
Congressional District10th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Sterling

Transportation FeatureDetails
Airport NameWashington Dulles International Airport is located in Sterling and provides major commercial air service.
IATA CodeIAD
PortNo direct port access; Potomac River and regional ports provide nearby water access.
Major HighwaysDulles Greenway, Route 7, Route 28, and nearby Interstate 495
Train/Amtrak ServiceSilver Line Metro service connects nearby Loudoun County communities with Washington, D.C.
Local Bus/Transit ServiceLoudoun County Transit provides local and commuter bus services.
  • Sterling is a census-designated place located in Loudoun County, Virginia.
  • The community is located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C.
  • Sterling is home to Washington Dulles International Airport and is an important technology and business center.
  • The area is known for suburban neighborhoods, parks, shopping areas, and access to the Dulles Technology Corridor.

Top Places to Visit in Sterling, Virginia

Landmark NameType
Claude Moore ParkCommunity Park
Algonkian Regional ParkRegional Park
Washington Dulles International Airport Observation AreaAirport Attraction
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy CenterAviation Museum
Claude Moore Recreation CenterRecreation Facility
W&OD TrailMulti-use Recreation Trail
Potomac Lakes AreaOutdoor Recreation Area
Dulles Town CenterShopping Center
Heritage Farm MuseumHistoric Museum
Great Falls ParkNational Park Service Site

Driving Distances from Sterling, Virginia to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Washington, D.C.District of Columbia3045 min
ArlingtonVirginia2535 min
AlexandriaVirginia3550 min
FairfaxVirginia2035 min
LeesburgVirginia1020 min
BaltimoreMaryland751 hr 20 min
RichmondVirginia1152 hr
FredericksburgVirginia751 hr 20 min
HagerstownMaryland601 hr 15 min
PhiladelphiaPennsylvania1602 hr 45 min

Colleges and Universities near Sterling, Virginia

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Northern Virginia Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeInformation technology, business, engineering, and workforce programs
George Mason UniversityPublicUniversityResearch, business, engineering, and public policy programs
Marymount UniversityPrivateUniversityBusiness, healthcare, education, and liberal arts programs
George Washington UniversityPrivateUniversityLaw, business, medicine, and international affairs programs
American UniversityPrivateUniversityPolitical science, international studies, business, and communications

Waterbodies near Sterling, Virginia

Potomac River, Broad Run, Goose Creek, Beaverdam Reservoir, and nearby Loudoun County waterways

Golf Courses near Sterling, Virginia

1757 Golf Club, Algonkian Regional Park Golf Course, Herndon Centennial Golf Course, and nearby Northern Virginia golf facilities

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Sterling, Virginia

Landmark NameType
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy CenterAviation Museum
Washington Dulles International AirportInternational Airport
Claude Moore ParkCommunity Park
Algonkian Regional ParkRegional Park
W&OD TrailMulti-use Recreation Trail
Dulles Town CenterShopping Center
Claude Moore Recreation CenterRecreation Facility
Heritage Farm MuseumHistoric Museum
Great Falls ParkNational Park Service Site
Potomac Lakes AreaOutdoor Recreation Area

Waterbodies near Sterling, Virginia

Potomac River, Broad Run, Goose Creek, Beaverdam Reservoir, and nearby Loudoun County waterways

Golf Courses near Sterling, Virginia

1757 Golf Club, Algonkian Regional Park Golf Course, Herndon Centennial Golf Course, and nearby Northern Virginia golf facilities

Sterling, Virginia — Key Historical Facts

  • Sterling developed from rural farmland in Loudoun County into a major suburban community in Northern Virginia.
  • The area was historically part of agricultural lands surrounding the Potomac River and Loudoun Valley.
  • The opening of Washington Dulles International Airport in 1962 greatly influenced Sterling's economic growth.
  • Sterling became part of the Dulles Technology Corridor, attracting technology companies and business development.
  • Today, Sterling is known for its airport, technology industry, parks, shopping centers, and proximity to Washington, D.C.

References

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