Oensingen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oensingen
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Oensingen village
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 Oensingen
Location in Switzerland
Oensingen
Location in Canton of Solothurn
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Solothurn | |
| District | Gäu | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 12.11 km2 (4.68 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 465 m (1,526 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 6,276 | |
| • Density | 518.25/km2 (1,342.3/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
4702
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| Surrounded by | Balsthal, Kestenholz, Niederbipp (BE), Oberbuchsiten | |
Oensingen is a town in Switzerland. It is a municipality located in the Gäu district, which is part of the canton of Solothurn.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Oensingen is a very old place! We first hear about it in history books way back in the year 968. Back then, it was called Oingesingin cum ecclesia, which means "Oingesingin with a church."
Where is Oensingen?
Oensingen covers an area of about 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles). A big part of this land, almost 40%, is used for farming. Another large part, about 37%, is covered by forests. The rest of the land has buildings, roads, or rivers.
The town is located in the Gäu district. It sits right at the base of the Jura Mountains. You can find it at the exit of a narrow valley called the Balsthal gorge.
What Does the Coat of Arms Mean?
The blazon of Oensingen's municipal coat of arms is simple but meaningful. It shows a red shield with a silver cross that has wide arms but doesn't touch the edges. This design is unique to Oensingen and represents the town.
Who Lives in Oensingen?
Oensingen has a population of about 6,000 people. A little over a quarter of the people living here are from other countries.
Languages Spoken
Most people in Oensingen speak German, which is the main language. After German, the next most common languages are Serbo-Croatian and Albanian.
How Old are the Residents?
In Oensingen, about 7.8% of the population are young children (0-6 years old). Teenagers (7-19 years old) make up about 16.4% of the population. The largest group of adults, about 32.5%, are between 25 and 44 years old.
Population Growth Over Time
The chart below shows how Oensingen's population has changed through the years. You can see how the number of people living in the town has grown over time.
Important Historical Places
Oensingen is home to some really old and important places! These are called heritage sites of national significance. One of them is a hilltop settlement from prehistoric times and the Roman era. This site also includes a medieval castle at Lehnflue. Another important site is Neu Bechburg Castle.
How People Make a Living
In Oensingen, many people have jobs. The town has a low unemployment rate, meaning most people who want to work can find a job.
Types of Jobs
People in Oensingen work in different areas:
- Farming: A small number of people work in agriculture, growing crops or raising animals.
- Making Things: Many people work in factories or construction. This is called the secondary sector.
- Services: The largest number of jobs are in the service sector. This includes things like working in shops, restaurants, transportation, or healthcare.
Many people who live in Oensingen also travel to work in other towns, and many people from other towns come to work in Oensingen. Most people use a private car to get to work, but some use public transportation.
Beliefs and Religions
Oensingen is home to people with many different beliefs. The two largest religious groups are Roman Catholic and Swiss Reformed Church members. There are also people who belong to Orthodox Christian churches and other Christian groups. A significant number of people are also Islamic. Some residents follow Buddhist or Hindu faiths. There are also many people who do not belong to any church or religion.
Learning and Education
Education is important in Oensingen. Many adults have completed high school, and some have gone on to college or other higher education.
Schools in Oensingen
The school system in Oensingen starts with two years of non-required Kindergarten for young children. After that, students attend six years of primary school. For secondary school, students from Oensingen go to schools in a nearby town.
The Town Library
Oensingen has its own library, called the Gemeinde-Bibliothek Oensingen. It has thousands of books and other media that people can borrow. It's a great place to find information and stories!
See also
In Spanish: Oensingen para niños
