As of the census of 2000, there were 3,432 people, 1,337 households, and 962 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,922 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 98.46% White, 0.09% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 1,337 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,061, and the median income for a family was $38,125. Males had a median income of $34,205 versus $24,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,912. About 7.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Sterling

thumb|right|200px|Map of Martville, N.Y. (1904)

  • Crocketts (formerly "Sterling Valley Station") – A hamlet near the eastern town line, at the intersection of Route 104A and Route 3.
  • Fair Haven – A village in the northern part of the town.
  • Fair Haven Beach State Park – A state park north of Fair Haven.
  • Fintches Corners – A hamlet centrally located in the town, on NY Route 38.
  • Little Sodus Bay – A bay of Lake Ontario north of Fair Haven. The bay is so named to distinguish it from Sodus Bay to the west.
  • Martville – A location near the eastern town line on NY State Route 104.
  • McKnight Corners – A location northeast of North Fair Haven.
  • Moon Beach – A lakeside hamlet on Lake Ontario in the northeastern section of the town.
  • Nine Mile Creek – A stream entering Lake Ontario in the northeastern part of the town.
  • North Fair Haven – A location in the northeastern part of the village of Fair Haven on the east side of Little Sodus Bay.
  • North Sterling – A hamlet northeast of Fair Haven on NY-104A.
  • North Victory – A hamlet near the southern town line at the intersection of Route 104 and Route 38.
  • The Pond – A small lake separated from Lake Ontario by a narrow ridge, located in Fair Haven State Park.
  • Sterling – A hamlet east of Fair Haven and on NY-38. Also known as "Sterling Center".
  • Sterling Creek – A stream flowing into The Pond.
  • Sterling Valley – A hamlet northeast of Fair Haven village, located on Route NY-104A north of its intersection with Route 3.
  • West Nine Mile Point – A projection into Lake Ontario, northeast of Fair Haven.
  • Whiting Corners – A location in the southwestern part of the town.

References

  • Town of Sterling official website
  • An early "History of Sterling, New York"