Balgach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Balgach
Coat of arms
Balgach Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Balgach Location in Canton of St. Gallen Show map of Canton of St. Gallen
Country	Switzerland
Canton	St. Gallen
District	Rheintal
Area
• Total	6.52 km2 (2.52 sq mi)
Elevation	404 m (1,325 ft)
Population  (Dec 2020 )
• Total	4,942
• Density	758.0/km2 (1,963.1/sq mi)
Postal code	9436
Surrounded by	Au, Berneck, Diepoldsau, Oberegg (AI), Oberriet, Rebstein, Reute (AR), Widnau

Balgach is a cool town, also called a municipality, located in the Rheintal area of Switzerland. It's part of the St. Gallen canton, which is like a state or region in Switzerland.

Discovering Balgach: A Swiss Town

A Glimpse into Balgach's Past

Balgach has a long history! It was first mentioned way back around the years 890-891. Back then, it was known by a slightly different name: Palgaa.

Balgach's Unique Coat of Arms

The town of Balgach has a special symbol called a coat of arms. This design helps represent the town. Balgach's coat of arms is divided into two parts. The top part is gold and shows half of a red lion standing up. The bottom part is green with two silver stripes. It's a unique design that represents the town!

Exploring Balgach's Geography

Aerial view of Balgach in 1947

A beautiful 17th-century villa near Balgach

Balgach covers an area of about 6.5 square kilometers (2.5 square miles). A big part of this land, over half (56.1%), is used for farming. About 19.7% is covered by forests, and 23.2% has buildings and roads. A tiny bit (0.9%) is made up of rivers or lakes.

The town is located at the base of the Appenzell hills. It sits along the main road that connects the towns of St. Margrethen and Altstätten. Balgach includes its main village and also a part of the nearby village of Heerbrugg.

People and Life in Balgach

Who Lives in Balgach?

Balgach has a population of about 5,000 people. Around 21.8% of the people living here are from other countries. Many of these foreign residents come from Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey, and countries that were once part of Yugoslavia.

Languages Spoken in Balgach

Most people in Balgach speak German, which is the main language (89.1%). Other languages spoken include Serbo-Croatian (2.9%) and Albanian (1.8%). A few people also speak French, Italian, or Romansh.

Age Groups in Balgach

Balgach is home to people of all ages!

• About 12.7% of the population are young children (0-9 years old).
• Another 13.1% are teenagers (10-19 years old).
• Adults between 20 and 59 make up a large part of the population.
• About 26.8% of the people are seniors (60 years and older).

How People Live in Balgach

In Balgach, about 10.5% of people live alone. Many people (55.3%) live in families with children. About 23.4% are couples without children. A smaller number (4.9%) are single parents.

Education in Balgach

People in Switzerland are generally well-educated. In Balgach, about 72.8% of adults (aged 25-64) have finished high school or gone on to higher education, like university. This means many people have strong skills and knowledge.

Balgach's Population Over Time

Here's how Balgach's population has grown over the years:

Important Places in Balgach

National Heritage Sites

Balgach has some very old and important buildings! The old Town Hall, called Altes Rathaus, is a special building. It is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. This means it's a very important part of Switzerland's history and culture.

Historic Landscapes

There are also two special areas around Balgach that are part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

• One is called Schlosslandschaft Ober/Unterrheintal. This area has many old castles and spans across Balgach and nearby towns like Altstätten and Berneck.
• The other is the shared village area of Balgach/Heerbrugg. This area is shared with Au (SG) and Berneck.

Balgach's Economy: How People Work

Jobs in Balgach

Balgach has a strong economy with many different types of jobs.

• Some people work in the primary sector, which means jobs like farming.
• Many people work in the secondary sector, which includes manufacturing and building things.
• A lot of people also work in the tertiary sector, which involves services like shops, offices, and healthcare.

Working in and Around Balgach

In Balgach, about 806 residents work within the town itself. Many other residents (1,225) travel to work in other towns. Also, a lot of people (2,123) travel into Balgach from other places to work here.

Religion in Balgach

Different Faiths in the Community

Balgach is home to people of many different faiths.

• About 48.5% of the population are Roman Catholic.
• Around 32.9% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.
• There are also people who belong to the Orthodox Church and other Christian churches.
• A small number of people are Islamic.
• Some people do not belong to any church, or are agnostic or atheist.

See also

In Spanish: Balgach para niños