Sterling sits in eastern Loudoun County, between Dulles Airport and the Potomac River. It is home to established neighborhoods like Sterling Park and Sugarland Run, riverside communities like Cascades and Lowes Island, and a wide range of homes at prices that are often friendlier than other parts of Loudoun. Sterling is not a town of its own. It is part of unincorporated Loudoun County, so homeowners pay Loudoun County taxes and children attend Loudoun County Public Schools.
1961Year Sterling Park, the first big neighborhood, began
PotomacRiver parks and waterfront communities
LCPSLoudoun County Public Schools
Why People Love Sterling
Sterling gives buyers a lot of choice. You can find a 1960s single-family home in Sterling Park, a townhome in Countryside, or a larger home near the river in Cascades or Lowes Island. Route 7, Route 28 and the Dulles Greenway make commutes easier, Dulles Airport is right next door, and Dulles Town Center keeps shopping close. Weekends are easy to fill too, with Algonkian Regional Park on the Potomac, Claude Moore Park and the W&OD Trail all in Sterling.
Homes and the Market
Sterling homes range from 1960s and 1970s single-family homes and townhomes in the older neighborhoods, to 1980s and 1990s homes in the planned communities near the river, to newer townhomes and condos built in the last few years.
Single-family home, sold by our teamTownhome, sold by our team
Market snapshot, November 12, 2026: About 141 homes with a Sterling address are for sale:
48 single-family homes, from about $575,000 to $1,995,000 77 townhomes, from about $280,000 to $1,089,000 16 condos, from about $230,000 to $675,000
Thinking about buying or selling in Sterling? Give me a call and I will walk you through what is happening on your street.
Listing data from the MLS and subject to change. Counts include homes with a Sterling mailing address, including Cascades, Countryside and Lowes Island.
Sterling Neighborhoods
Some of the Sterling neighborhoods we know well:
Cascades
Countryside
Lowes Island
Montebello
Potomac Lakes
Seneca Ridge
Sterling Park
Sugarland Run
Want to know how any of these compare? Ask me.
Getting Around
Route 7 runs along the north side of Sterling and Route 28 runs down the middle, with the Dulles Greenway and Dulles Toll Road just to the south. Dulles International Airport borders Sterling. There is no Metro station in Sterling itself, but the Silver Line's Loudoun Gateway and Innovation Center stations are a short drive away.
Schools
Sterling is served by Loudoun County Public Schools. High schools serving Sterling include Dominion, Park View and Potomac Falls, depending on the street.
"Cristina Dougherty was our realtor and helped us buy our first home in Sterling, VA. She was very responsive, attentive to our needs, and knowledgeable about the area. As first time home buyers, she was patient with us and taught us a great deal about the home buying process as well as the local market. Cristina is the best and we can't recommend her enough!"
Ben E.
Sterling FAQ
Is Sterling a town?
No. Sterling is an unincorporated area of Loudoun County, so there is no separate town government or town tax. Homes pay Loudoun County taxes, plus HOA dues in many communities.
Are Cascades and Lowes Island part of Sterling?
They use a Sterling mailing address. You may also hear the area near the river called Potomac Falls. Either way, Loudoun County taxes and schools apply.
What ZIP codes are in Sterling?
Most Sterling homes use 20164 or 20165. Some neighborhoods closer to Dulles Airport and Dulles Town Center use 20166.
Does Sterling have Metro?
Not inside Sterling, but the Silver Line's Loudoun Gateway and Innovation Center stations are a short drive away.
Thinking About Sterling?
Whether you want to buy in Sterling or sell your home here, call me at 703-969-0471.
