Oberhelfenschwil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oberhelfenschwil
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 Oberhelfenschwil
Location in Switzerland
Oberhelfenschwil
Location in Canton of St. Gallen
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | St. Gallen | |
| District | Toggenburg | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 12.68 km2 (4.90 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 805 m (2,641 ft) | |
| Population
(December 2020)
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| • Total | 1,241 | |
| • Density | 97.87/km2 (253.48/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
9621
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| Surrounded by | Brunnadern, Bütschwil, Ganterschwil, Lichtensteig, Mogelsberg, Wattwil | |
Oberhelfenschwil was once a town (or municipality) in Switzerland. It was located in the Toggenburg area, in the canton of St. Gallen. On January 1, 2023, Oberhelfenschwil joined with another town called Hemberg. Together, they formed a new, larger town named Neckertal.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The name Oberhelfenschwil has a long history. The town was first written about in the year 882. Back then, it was called Helfoltiswilare. Later, in 1515, people started calling it Oberhelfenschwil, which is closer to its modern name.
Exploring the Geography
Oberhelfenschwil covers an area of about 12.7 square kilometers (about 4.9 square miles). A large part of this land, about 61.7%, is used for farming. Forests cover about 33.6% of the area. Buildings and roads make up 4.2% of the land. A small part (0.5%) is made up of rivers or lakes.
The town is located in the Toggenburg region. It sits between two valleys, the Thur and the Necker valleys. Oberhelfenschwil includes the main village and several smaller areas called hamlets. These hamlets include Wigetshof, Oberwil, Metzwil, Wasserfluh, Rennen, Winzlisau, Utenwil, Schwanden, and Füberg.
Understanding the Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is a special design that represents a town or family. The coat of arms for Oberhelfenschwil has two main parts. On one side, there is a black tower on a gold background. On the other side, there are six stripes, alternating between silver and black.
Who Lives in Oberhelfenschwil?
Oberhelfenschwil has a population of about 1,378 people. Most people living here speak German. A smaller number of people speak Albanian or Serbo-Croatian.
Age Groups in the Community
In 2000, about 17.4% of the population were children aged 0 to 9 years old. Teenagers, aged 10 to 19, made up about 16.4% of the population. Adults aged 20 to 59 made up about 47.2% of the population. People aged 60 and older made up about 19% of the population.
Education in Oberhelfenschwil
Many adults in Oberhelfenschwil have completed a good level of education. About 62.5% of people aged 25-64 have finished either advanced high school or higher education. This means they might have gone to a university or a specialized college.
Population Changes Over Time
Here's how the population of Oberhelfenschwil has changed over the years:
| year | population |
|---|---|
| 1827 | 1,196 |
| 1850 | 1,872 |
| 1900 | 1,079 |
| 1950 | 982 |
| 2000 | 1,456 |
How People Make a Living
In 2005, many people in Oberhelfenschwil worked in different areas. About 114 people worked in the primary sector. This includes jobs like farming and forestry. About 148 people worked in the secondary sector, which includes manufacturing and construction. Another 147 people worked in the tertiary sector. This sector includes jobs in services, like shops, schools, and healthcare.
Many residents of Oberhelfenschwil also travel to other towns for work. In 2000, about 342 residents worked outside the town. At the same time, 185 people came into Oberhelfenschwil to work.
Religious Beliefs
In 2000, about 39.1% of the people in Oberhelfenschwil were Roman Catholic. About 38.9% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. Other groups included people who were Islamic (about 6.87%) and those who belonged to other Christian churches. Some people did not belong to any church.
See also
In Spanish: Oberhelfenschwil para niños
