A much wider region has a preferred mailing address of "Sterling, Virginia", per the United States Postal Service.

The "Greater Sterling" region includes part of Washington Dulles International Airport and the former AOL corporate headquarters.

During the same year, Marvin T. Broyhill Jr. and his father made plans to develop land in the airport area under the company M.T.

However, Powell B. Harrison, who was instrumental in planning Route 28, insisted that the road be kept generally free of development, for easy access to the airport.

No African American family moved into Sterling Park until August 1966, when the illegality of the clause became apparent.

People of German descent made up 6.0% of the population of the town, followed by Irish at 5.1%, English at 4.9%, American at 4.7%, Italian at 2.3%, Arab at 1.9%, French at 1.2%, Sub-Saharan African at 1.1%, Polish at 0.9%, Scottish at 0.8%, Caribbean (excluding Hispanics) at 0.6%, and Greek at 0.5%.

According to Manta, the following companies, with annual revenues of $20 million or more, have headquarters in Sterling, Virginia: Neustar and Electronic Instrumentation and Technology.

Companies that have a branch office or headquarters in Sterling, with a total number of employees over 1,000 or more are as follows: Alcatel-Lucent, Geo Trans, HR Solutions LLC, M.C.

Dean, Inc., National Electronics Warranty Corp, N E W Customer Service Companies Inc, and Orbital Science.

Nearby, in Ashburn, The George Washington University has its Virginia Science and Technology Campus, established in 1991.

[38] Claude Moore Park occupies 357 acres (144 ha) in Sterling and offers activities for people of all ages, with three main areas.

Originally a trail first used by Native Americans, it was a major route for settlers between Alexandria and the Shenandoah Valley.

General Braddock's troops, including Daniel Boone, traveled Vestal's Gap Road during the French and Indian War.

Both are non-governmental 501(c) non-profit organizations that operate as a part of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System, and share three stations: one in Sterling Park, one in Potomac Falls, and one in Kincora at the northern end of Pacific Boulevard.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police provide law enforcement.

Famous people who were born in or who lived in Sterling include: The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.