About Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. As of the end of 2024, the municipality had a population of 436,551, while the urban area was home to 1.45 million people (2020), and the Zurich metropolitan area had a total population of 2.1 million (2020). Zurich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic. Both Zurich Airport and Zurich's main railway station are the largest and busiest in the country.
- Canton
- Zürich
- Area
- 91.9 km²
Population
436'551residents
Median taxable income
CHF 71'005
Vacancy
0.10%
Foreign residents
34.0%
Dwellings
235'000
Jobs (FTE)
491'193
Tax multiplier
119%
Land use across the commune
Every 100 × 100 m of Zürich, coloured by how it's used. Drawn from the BFS Arealstatistik 2025 release — the most recent nationwide snapshot.
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Loading statistics …
Jobs & economy
491'193 full-time-equivalent jobs across 45'057 businesses — services make up 94% of employment, industry 6% (2018).
Source BFS STATENT
491'193FTE total
Primary0.0%
Secondary5.8%
Tertiary94.1%
Land use
62% built-up, 10% agricultural, 26% forest. Measured across 8'797 hectares (2018).
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Settlement63.4%
Agriculture9.7%
Forest26.9%
Water0.0%
Election Results
SP led the 2023 National Council election with 33.0%, ahead of Grüne at 14.7%.
Source BFS
SP33.0%+7.4 pp
Grüne14.7%−5.7 pp
SVP14.3%+0.6 pp
GLP13.6%−2.1 pp
FDP11.2%−0.7 pp
Mitte6.2%
FGA
2.3%−1.7 pp
Others
2.6%
2023 vs 2019
Primary / second-home mix
91.0% of dwellings are primary residences; 9.0% are second homes (2026).
Source BFS
Primary residences91.0%
Second homes9.0%
Climate data
Annual mean 9.8°C with 1'108 mm of rain. Warmest in July (19.0°C), coldest in January (0.9°C). Station: Zürich / Fluntern, 556 m.
Source MeteoSchweiz
9.8°C
Annual mean
Mean 9.8°C
Rain 1108 mm
Sun ≈141 days
Zürich / Fluntern · 556 m.a.s.l. · 1991–2020 normals
Warming trend
Mean annual temperature at Zürich / Fluntern has risen by +2.2°C between the first 30 observed years (1864–1893) and the most recent (1996–2025).
Source MeteoSchweiz NBCN
+2.2°C
mean 1996–2025 vs. 1864–1893
Zürich / Fluntern · 556 m.a.s.l. · 1864–2025
