Population1,349 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Ranch Country and Stories Around a Small Community
Sterling County, TexasSterling County centers on Sterling City in the Edwards Plateau region. The county seat is also its largest community, making it a useful starting point for local information and a visit to the area. Ranching history provides one way to understand the surrounding landscape, while the county historical commission offers another route into local records. Begin with public institutions and specific destinations rather than assuming that the broad countryside is open for recreation.
Sterling County at a Glance
Population1,349 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatSterling City
Largest CitySterling City
Established1891
ZIP Codes1
Total Area924 sq mi (2,390 km 2 )
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 87 State Highway 158 State Highway 163
Area Code325
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Sterling County
Sterling County was established in 1891 and named for W. S. Sterling, an early settler in the area. Sterling City became the county seat. Ranching was already important in the surrounding region before county government, with large cattle operations using the open range during the nineteenth century. Changes in land ownership, fencing and access to water later altered that landscape. The county historical commission’s work provides a local starting point for exploring those histories alongside the experiences of individual families and communities.
Sterling City is the natural base for county offices and community information. The historical commission shares information through the county, including details about its local-history publications and their availability at the public library. Use the current county information when planning a research visit or seeking a particular resource. For time beyond town, identify a named public destination in advance; the ranching landscape is part of the county’s character, but much of it remains private property.
What Shapes Us
Sterling City
The county seat is also its largest community. It provides a central place to begin finding county offices, local records and information about public resources.
Ranching Context
Open-range cattle operations formed part of the area’s history before county creation. Later fencing and water access changed how people used the surrounding land.
Historical Commission
The county historical commission shares local-history resources and publications. Its information offers a practical starting point for learning about community stories and planning further research.
Local records and ranching stories give the open landscape context.
My Local Guide
Sterling County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Sterling County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Law enforcement Democrat, GOP Air Force vet upend partisan script in race for new San Antonio U.S. House district
The 35th Congressional District was redrawn to elect a Republican, but Latino voters’ brewing leftward shift has put…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
County Treasurer
Treasurer’s office, county finances and public financial information.
Commissioners Court Agendas
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Food, housing & family support
San Antonio Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Sterling County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
San Antonio Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Sterling City ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Sterling County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
No in-county inpatient hospital was verified in the CMS August 2026 data and the Texas DSHS 2024 inventory reviewed on October 3, 2026. These sources have coverage and date limits; this does not establish that no hospital exists. The related local resource below is not an inpatient hospital. For an immediate emergency call 911.
County & local resources
Sterling City medical directory — clinic and nursing services
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
County & local resources
Sheriff
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 7 serving Sterling County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
No qualifying TPWD state park open for ordinary public visits was verified for Sterling County in the reviewed sources as of October 3, 2026. This is a limitation of this guide’s verified list, not a statement that none exists. Other sourced outdoor options appear in the local directory below.
Trails
No qualifying named local trail with a verified route or access information was verified for Sterling County in the reviewed sources as of October 3, 2026. This is a limitation of this guide’s verified list, not a statement that none exists. Other sourced outdoor options appear in the local directory below.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
CITY OF STERLING CITY
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Justice of the Peace
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
District Court Judge
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Sterling County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Sterling County — 51st District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Sterling County — Countywide (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Sterling County — County Clerk Office (County Clerk Office)
County clerk services, public records and office information.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Sterling County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
County & local resources
Concho Valley Transit District – Thunderbird Transit
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Sterling County veterans service contact — (325) 659-6560
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
Regional employment assistance serving county residents. Check appointment, mobile-service and eligibility details with the provider.
County & local resources
Workforce Solutions of the Concho Valley — serves Sterling County
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Sterling City is the county seat of Sterling County, Texas.
The county overview lists Sterling City as its largest community.
The total area is 924 sq mi (2,390 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Sterling County government website for county offices and public information.
The county historical commission provides information about local-history publications, including availability through the county public library. Official information.
For office information, start with Sterling County — Tax Assessor Collector. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
The county links residents to Sterling County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the county’s page for Sterling County — District Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
For departmental information, use Sterling County — Sheriff. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the official Sterling County — Commissioners Court. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Office information is available through Sterling County — County Judge. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Selected local listings; some categories have fewer than three entries. No current local clothing shop has been verified. Other categories have three researched options. School tennis courts are excluded until public access is established. Nearby lakes and shops outside Sterling County are not substituted.
Kids’ Fun
- Sterling County Library Story Hour — Ask about the current preschool story-hour schedule.
- Sterling City ISD Swimming Pool — The city lists summer public swimming; verify seasonal opening and fees.
- Sterling City Park — Plan a family picnic; reserved gatherings require arrangements.
Restaurants
- Dairy Queen — Find a meal or frozen treat in Sterling City.
- Rangel’s Restaurant — Explore Mexican-American food on Fourth Street.
- Hitchin Post Grocery & Catering — Ask about prepared food and catering on Fourth Street.
Shopping & Retail
- Hitchin Post Grocery — Shop groceries and general supplies.
- Horwood Ranch Supply — Arrange a purchase of ranch fencing supplies.
- Sterling Candles & Scents — Ask about locally listed scented products and ordering arrangements.
Clothing & Boutiques
No verified local listing supplied yet.
Outdoor Fun
- Sterling City Golf Course — Play the local course; check current access and honor-system fees.
- Sterling City Park Picnic — Enjoy outdoor picnic facilities; reserve organized gatherings in advance.
- Historic Marker Walk — Explore markers near Fourth and Elm from public sidewalks.
Free Things To Do
- Sterling County Public Library — Browse reading materials; copying and other services may carry charges.
- Sterling County Jail Exterior — View the historic jail from public space on Courthouse Square.
- Historic Railroad Depot Exterior — See the depot from public space; interior events require separate arrangements.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.