About Urnäsch
Urnäsch is a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland.
- Canton
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden
- Area
- 48.2 km²
Population
2'373residents
Median taxable income
CHF 57'685
Vacancy
1.25%
Foreign residents
11.8%
Dwellings
1'440
Jobs (FTE)
1'093
Tax multiplier
420%
Land use across the commune
Every 100 × 100 m of Urnäsch, 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
1'093 full-time-equivalent jobs across 226 businesses — services make up 54% of employment, industry 27% (2018).
Source BFS STATENT
1'093FTE total
Primary19.5%
Secondary26.9%
Tertiary53.6%
Land use
4% built-up, 53% agricultural, 42% forest. Measured across 4'813 hectares (2018).
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Settlement3.7%
Agriculture53.9%
Forest42.4%
Water0.0%
Election Results
SVP led the 2023 National Council election with 70.3%, ahead of FDP at 20.3%.
Source BFS
SVP70.3%−0.7 pp
FDP20.3%−7.3 pp
Mitte9.1%
2023 vs 2019
Primary / second-home mix
84.4% of dwellings are primary residences; 15.6% are second homes (2026).
Source BFS
Primary residences84.4%
Second homes15.6%
Climate data
Annual mean -0.7°C with 2'840 mm of rain. Warmest in August (6.8°C), coldest in February (-7.5°C). Station: Säntis, 2501 m.
Source MeteoSchweiz
-0.7°C
Annual mean
Mean -0.7°C
Rain 2840 mm
Sun ≈149 days
Säntis · 2501 m.a.s.l. · 1991–2020 normals
Warming trend
Mean annual temperature at Säntis 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
Säntis · 2501 m.a.s.l. · 1864–2025
