Obfelden

Obfelden
Country Switzerland Canton Zurich District Affoltern 47°16′N 8°25′E / 47.267°N 8.417°E / 47.267; 8.417Coordinates: 47°16′N 8°25′E / 47.267°N 8.417°E / 47.267; 8.417
Population	4,682 (Dec 2010)[1]
- Density	621 /km2 (1,608 /sq mi)
Area	7.55 km2 (2.92 sq mi)[2]
Elevation	430 m (1,411 ft)
Postal code	8912
SFOS number	0010
Surrounded by	Affoltern am Albis, Hünenberg (ZG), Maschwanden, Merenschwand (AG), Mettmenstetten, Ottenbach
Website	www.obfelden.ch SFSO statistics
Obfelden
Map of Obfelden

Obfelden is a municipality in the district of Affoltern in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.

History

Obfelden is first mentioned in 1246 as Bickewilare. In 1257 it was mentioned as Lundenerun and Lunderun inferioris, in 1311 as Wolunsun and in 1325 as Tunsen.^[3]

Until 1847 it was part of the municipality of Ottenbach.

Geography

Obfelden has an area of 7.6 km² (2.9 sq mi). Of this area, 54.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 22.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 20.1% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (2.9%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).^[4]

The municipality is located on the Reuss River and on the border with the Canton of Aargau. It consists of five smaller communities; Bickwil, Ober-, Unterlunnern, Wolsen and Toussen.

Demographics

Obfelden has a population (as of 31 December 2010) of 4,682.^[1] As of 2007^[update], 16.0% of the population was made up of foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has grown at a rate of 7.6%. Most of the population (as of 2000^[update]) speaks German (89.6%), with Italian being second most common ( 3.9%) and Albanian being third ( 1.7%).

In the 2007 election the most popular party was the SVP which received 38% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SPS (15.6%), the FDP (12%) and the CSP (11.5%).

The age distribution of the population (as of 2000^[update]) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 25.9% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 64.4% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 9.7%. In Obfelden about 78.4% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule).

Obfelden has an unemployment rate of 2%. As of 2005^[update], there were 90 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 26 businesses involved in this sector. 334 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 57 businesses in this sector. 659 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 130 businesses in this sector.^[4] The historical population is given in the following table:^[3]

year	population
1450	c. 24 Households
1634	311
1668	562
1799	789
1850	896
1900	1,335
1950	1,517
2000	4,182

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Canton of Zurich Statistical Office (German) accessed 29 March 2011
2. ^ Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeindedaten nach 4 Hauptbereichen
3. ^ ^{a b} Obfelden in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
4. ^ ^{a b} Swiss Federal Statistical Office accessed 24-Jul-2009

External links

• Official website (German)