Oberkirch, Switzerland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oberkirch
Coat of arms
Oberkirch Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Oberkirch Location in Canton of Lucerne Show map of Canton of Lucerne
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Lucerne
District	Sursee
Area
• Total	9.09 km2 (3.51 sq mi)
Elevation	512 m (1,680 ft)
Population  (Dec 2020 )
• Total	4,937
• Density	543.1/km2 (1,406.7/sq mi)
Postal code	6208
Surrounded by	Buttisholz, Eich, Grosswangen, Mauensee, Nottwil, Schenkon, Sursee

Oberkirch is a town in Switzerland, located in the canton of Lucerne. It is part of the Sursee district. Oberkirch is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and a growing community.

History of Oberkirch

Oberkirch was first mentioned in old writings way back in 1036! Back then, it was called Ecclesia superior. Later, in 1052, it was known as Obernkilch. These old names help us understand how long people have lived and built communities in this area.

Geography and Nature

An aerial view of Oberkirch in 1964.

Oberkirch covers an area of about 9.1 square kilometers (about 3.5 square miles). A large part of this land, about 74%, is used for farming. This means there are many fields and pastures. About 13% of the area is covered by forests, which are great for exploring nature.

The town itself, along with roads and buildings, makes up about 12% of the land. The rest is made up of rivers or other natural features.

Oberkirch is located southwest of a beautiful body of water called Lake Sempach. The municipality includes the main village of Oberkirch and smaller communities known as hamlets, like Dogelzwil, Oberhof, Unterhof, and Zellhüsli.

People and Community

Oberkirch is home to about 3,317 people (as of 2007). Over the past ten years, the number of people living here has grown quite a bit, by about 32%. Most people in Oberkirch speak German, which is the main language. Some other languages spoken include Serbo-Croatian and Albanian.

Age Groups in Oberkirch

The population of Oberkirch includes people of all ages:

• About 25% of the people are young, aged 0–19 years old.
• About 31% are young adults, aged 20–39 years old.
• About 33% are middle-aged adults, aged 40–64 years old.
• About 8% are seniors, aged 65–79 years old.
• A smaller number, about 2.4%, are over 80 years old.

Education and Homes

Many adults in Oberkirch (about 76%) have completed advanced education. This means they have gone to a higher school or a university.

As of 2000, there were about 991 homes in Oberkirch. About 28% of these homes were for people living alone. There were also some larger homes with five or more family members. Most of the buildings in Oberkirch are homes, including single-family houses, double-family houses, and multi-family buildings. Many homes are two or three stories tall.

Work and Economy

Oberkirch has a low unemployment rate, meaning most people who want to work have jobs. The jobs in Oberkirch can be grouped into three main types:

• Primary Sector: This includes jobs related to farming and agriculture. About 201 people work in this area.
• Secondary Sector: These jobs involve making things, like in factories or construction. About 502 people work in this sector.
• Tertiary Sector: This includes jobs that provide services, like working in shops, offices, or healthcare. About 581 people work in this sector.

Overall, about 55% of the people in Oberkirch are employed. Women make up about 43% of the workforce.

Religious Beliefs

Most people in Oberkirch are Roman Catholic (about 82%). There are also people who are Protestant (about 8.4%) and other Christian faiths. A small number of people are Muslim. Some people belong to other religions, and some do not follow any organized religion.

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Oberkirch has changed quite a bit over the years:

See also

In Spanish: Oberkirch (Lucerna) para niños