Sterling
RANK #194 / 996 NAT · #17 / 28 IL · POP 55,569
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Fulton, Illinois, in Whiteside County, stands out with its authentic Dutch windmill, "de Immigrant," a working landmark built in the Netherlands and reassembled in Fulton, celebrating the town's Dutch heritage. Located in northwestern Illinois, Whiteside County is bordered by the Mississippi River to the west and intersected by the Rock River. The county seat, Morrison, is roughly 120 miles west of Chicago, offering a quieter community feel with access to larger urban centers via Interstate 88. Outdoor recreation includes extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and boating along the Rock River and within the Whiteside County Forest Preserve system.
Life in Whiteside County often appeals to families and retirees, with many residents owning their homes. Public schools in the county are generally above average. Commute options within the county are supported by Whiteside County Public Transportation, which provides curb-to-curb service. The local economy is driven by sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, and logistics, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and energy projects. The county has been recognized for its overall health and well-being, reflecting a focus on community vitality.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Garden Plain 138 kV Battery Project
Undisclosed
|
$365M | Planned |
|
Gipper Wind Farm
Scout Clean Energy
|
$191M | Planned |
|
Broadband Fiber Deployment
JCE Co-op (formerly Jo-Carroll Energy Co-op)
|
$121M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Engie North America, Generate Capital)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Whiteside County ranks #194 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.9% and a median household income of $62,828 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Whiteside County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $122,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.51 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $785/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Whiteside County is losing population (-0.7% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.9% employment change). Home values are +5.2% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.02% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Whiteside County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Whiteside County is now valued at $122,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.