Sterling is a census-designated-place in eastern Loudon COunty. The greater sterling mailing area includes the Washington-Dulles airport.
For many years, "Old Sterling" was an active commercial center in eastern Loudoun, off Church Road along the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad. Now known as Ruritan Road Location and Ruritan Circle, Railroad Avenue was the main drag through the old village, and several commercial structures and large homes were built along the street and on both sides of the tracks. [ www/loudonhistory.org, accessed January, 2022. ]