Welcome to the City of Sterling
Where the Quality of Life Shines!
On behalf of the City of Sterling, we wish to welcome you to the community of Sterling. Whether you are a visitor, a newly located resident, or a long-term citizen of this great community, the staff of the City of Sterling continually strives to make the quality of life worthwhile, enjoyable, and the place to raise your family.
Sterling offers many amenities that smaller communities often lack:
- Top ranked public high school and grade school system
- Sterling College – a four-year, liberal arts institution
- Medical Arts Center – Three physicians, nurse practitioner, dentist
- Sterling Lake Park with walking trail, swimming pool, fishing
- Cottonwood Lake residential homes on a private lake
- Beautiful downtown streetscape with historical buildings
- Old fashioned 4th of July Celebration – Norman Rockwell at its best!
- Safe community for children walking and riding bicycles
- Sports, theater, forensics, debate, community plays, musical concerts
- Located in historical Rice County – Quivira Indians, Santa Fe Trail ruts
- Quivira National Wildlife Refuge – Whooping Cranes, Bald Eagles
Sterling is a community that is small enough to know your name and to care about each other, but large enough to offer a wide variety of interests and talents for the betterment of the citizens. Sterling is progressive and looks to the future while preserving the best of a rich heritage. Come join us where the “Quality of Life Shines!”
Rod Willis
City Manager
620-278-3411
rwillis@sterling-kansas.com
Meet the City Manager
Rod Willis became City Manager on January 3, 2006 after serving 10 years on the City Commission, which included 3 terms as Mayor. Rod is currently working on a Master’s in Public Administration from Wichita State University and will complete the hours required for the degree in December 2008.
Rod worked 14 years previously as a loan officer in Sterling at First Bank and First National Bank, returning to Sterling 19 years after graduating from Sterling High School in 1972. Rod received a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Education from Kansas State University in 1976.
Profile of Sterling
- Population: approximately 2,600
- Located 8 miles south of Lyons and 20 miles northwest of Hutchinson
- Elevation: 1640 feet
- Land Area: 1.4 square miles
- Median Resident Age: 23.2 years
- Median Household Income: $36,000 (year 2005)
- Median house value: $61,100 (year 2005)
For more information about Sterling, visit Sterling's detailed profile.