About Winterthur
Winterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. With over 120,000 residents, it is the country's sixth-largest city by population, as well as its ninth-largest agglomeration with about 140,000 inhabitants. Located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) northeast of Zurich, Winterthur is a service and high-tech industrial satellite city within Zurich Metropolitan Area.
- Canton
- Zürich
- Area
- 68.1 km²
Population
120'376residents
Median taxable income
CHF 65'402
Vacancy
0.18%
Foreign residents
26.8%
Dwellings
57'778
Jobs (FTE)
73'339
Tax multiplier
125%
Land use across the commune
Every 100 × 100 m of Winterthur, coloured by how it's used. Drawn from the BFS Arealstatistik 2025 release — the most recent nationwide snapshot.
Source BFS Arealstatistik
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Jobs & economy
73'339 full-time-equivalent jobs across 8'081 businesses — services make up 83% of employment, industry 17% (2018).
Source BFS STATENT
73'339FTE total
Primary0.3%
Secondary16.5%
Tertiary83.2%
Land use
35% built-up, 24% agricultural, 41% forest. Measured across 6'811 hectares (2018).
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Settlement35.0%
Agriculture24.0%
Forest41.0%
Water0.0%
Election Results
SP led the 2023 National Council election with 27.9%, ahead of SVP at 17.1%.
Source BFS
SP27.9%+5.3 pp
SVP17.1%−0.7 pp
Grüne13.8%−4.0 pp
GLP12.8%−1.5 pp
FDP9.3%−1.2 pp
Mitte7.9%
EVP4.1%−0.9 pp
Others
3.3%
2023 vs 2019
Primary / second-home mix
93.3% of dwellings are primary residences; 6.7% are second homes (2026).
Source BFS
Primary residences93.3%
Second homes6.7%
Climate data
Annual mean 9.1°C with 1'169 mm of rain. Warmest in July (18.4°C), coldest in January (0.4°C). Station: Aadorf / Tänikon, 539 m.
Source MeteoSchweiz
9.1°C
Annual mean
Mean 9.1°C
Rain 1169 mm
Sun ≈131 days
Aadorf / Tänikon · 539 m.a.s.l. · 1991–2020 normals
