Total population (1990 census): 17567
County seat: Sterling
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 263 | 64550 | 8003004 bu | |
| Sorghum for Grain or Seed | 7 | 808 | 24398 bu | |
| Wheat | 450 | 139321 | 3895824 bu | |
| Spring Wheat | 9 | 1297 | 33210 bu | |
| Winter Wheat | 444 | 138024 | 3862614 bu | |
| Oats | 3 | (D) | 3950 bu | |
| Proso Millet | 96 | 18100 | 477179 bu | |
| Sunflower Seed | 21 | 4433 | 4103950 lbs | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 370 | 48107 | 160038 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 270 | 33143 | 135808 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 52 | 3870 | 5960 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 104 | 8051 | 12918 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 25 | 1986 | 2777 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 14 | 1057 | 7726 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 61 | 4435 | 97855 tons, grn | |
| Sorghum Cut for Dry Forage or Hay | 21 | 1275 | 1924 tons, dry | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Dry Edible Beans | 56 | 3200 | 58996 bu | |
| Sugar Beets for Seed | 56 | 7035 | 121070 bu | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Pumpkins | 6 | 374 | ||
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops, Cut Christmas Trees Harvested, Mushrooms, and Sod Grown for Sale | Farms | Sq. ft. under glass or other protection | Acres in the open | Sales ($1,000) |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 3 | (D) | (D) | 35 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.