Sainte-Croix, Switzerland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sainte-Croix
|
||
|---|---|---|
View of the city from the south
|
||
|
||
 Sainte-Croix
Location in Switzerland
Sainte-Croix
Location in Canton of Vaud
|
||
| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Vaud | |
| District | Jura-Nord Vaudois | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 39.47 km2 (15.24 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,086 m (3,563 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
|
||
| • Total | 4,933 | |
| • Density | 124.981/km2 (323.70/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
1450
|
|
| Surrounded by | Baulmes, Bullet, Buttes (NE), Fiez, La Côte-aux-Fées (NE), Les Fourgs (FR-25), Les Hôpitaux-Vieux (FR-25), Vuiteboeuf | |
Sainte-Croix is a town in Switzerland. It is located in the Vaud canton, which is like a state. The town is part of the Jura-Nord Vaudois area.
Contents
History of Sainte-Croix
Sainte-Croix was first mentioned in old records in 1177. Back then, it was called Sancta Crux. Later, in 1317, its name changed slightly to Saint Crueyz. For a while, it was also known by its German name, Heilig Kreuz.
Geography and Landscape
Sainte-Croix covers an area of about 39.42 square kilometers (15.22 square miles). A large part of this land, about 41%, is used for farming. Nearly half of the area, 49.6%, is covered by forests. About 7% of the land has buildings or roads. A small part, 0.3%, is rivers or lakes. The remaining 1.8% is land that cannot be used for farming or building.
Most of the built-up area is for houses and other buildings. Roads and transport take up a smaller part. The forests are mostly dense, with some smaller groups of trees. Farmers use their land for crops, pastures, and mountain pastures. All the water in the town comes from flowing rivers and streams.
Sainte-Croix used to be in the Grandson District. In 2006, it became part of the new Jura-Nord Vaudois district. The town is located between Yverdon, Fleurier, and Pontarlier in France.
The main village of Sainte-Croix is high up in the Jura Mountains. It sits at 1,086 meters (3,563 feet) above sea level. The town's area includes two valleys and 27 smaller villages. Some well-known villages are L' Auberson, La Chaux, and Le Château.
Coat of Arms Meaning
The town's coat of arms has a special design. It shows a golden Latin Cross rising from green hills on a blue background. This design is called Azure, a Latin Cross Or issuant from a Coupeaux Vert.
Population and People
Sainte-Croix has a population of about 4,187 people. Around 14.6% of the people living here are from other countries. Over the past ten years, the population has grown by about 7.5%. This growth is mostly due to people moving into the town.
Most people in Sainte-Croix speak French, about 90.3%. German is the second most common language, spoken by 2.2% of the people. Italian is spoken by 2.1%.
Many residents were born in Sainte-Croix or elsewhere in Switzerland. About 40% were born in the town itself. Another 20.4% were born in the same canton. About 14.3% were born in other parts of Switzerland. Around 17.2% of the people were born outside Switzerland.
In 2008, more people moved into Sainte-Croix than left it. This helped the population grow. The total population increased by 1.0% that year.
Age Groups in Sainte-Croix
The population of Sainte-Croix has different age groups.
- Children aged 0-9 make up 9% of the population.
- Teenagers aged 10-19 make up 10%.
- Young adults aged 20-29 are 11.2%.
- People aged 30-39 are 10.4%.
- Adults aged 40-49 are 14%.
- People aged 50-59 are 13%.
- Seniors aged 60-69 are 14.3%.
- People aged 70-79 are 9.3%.
- Those aged 80-89 are 7.2%.
- People 90 and older make up 1.5% of the population.
Households and Homes
In 2000, there were about 1,980 households in Sainte-Croix. The average household had 2 people. Many households (40.7%) had only one person living in them. There were also many married couples, some with children and some without. A small number of households were single parents with children.
Most of the buildings in Sainte-Croix are single-family homes. Many of these homes were built a long time ago, before 1919. There are also multi-family buildings, where several families live.
The town has many apartments. The most common size is 3 rooms. Most apartments are lived in all the time. Some are used for holidays, and a small number are empty.
Population Changes Over Time
The chart below shows how the population of Sainte-Croix has changed over many years.
Interesting Places to Visit
The villages of L’Auberson and Sainte-Croix, along with the small area of La Chaux, are very important. They are recognized as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. This means they have special historical or cultural value.
The Centre International de la Mécanique d'Art (CIMA) is also located in Sainte-Croix. This center is dedicated to the art of mechanical music and automata.
Economy and Jobs
In 2010, Sainte-Croix had an unemployment rate of 6.3%. This means that 6.3% of people looking for work could not find a job.
Types of Jobs
The jobs in Sainte-Croix are divided into three main groups:
- Primary sector: This includes jobs related to nature, like farming and forestry. In 2008, about 91 people worked in this sector.
- Secondary sector: This involves making things, like in factories or construction. About 674 people worked in manufacturing and construction.
- Tertiary sector: These are service jobs, like working in shops, hotels, or schools. About 891 people worked in this sector.
Many people who work in Sainte-Croix travel there from other towns. About 33.9% of these workers come from outside Switzerland. Most people (57%) use a private car to get to work. About 8.3% use public transportation.
Transportation Links
Sainte-Croix is connected to other towns by a railway line. The electric Yverdon–Ste-Croix railway line links Sainte-Croix with Yverdon-les-Bains.
Religion in Sainte-Croix
According to the 2000 census, most people in Sainte-Croix are Christian.
- About 21.2% are Roman Catholic.
- About 52.5% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.
- Smaller groups include other Christian churches, Islamic people, and a few Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu individuals.
- About 10.55% of the population do not belong to any church.
Education and Learning
Many people in Sainte-Croix have a good education. About 33.1% have finished high school. Another 8% have gone on to higher education, like university.
Schools in the Area
In the 2009/2010 school year, there were 464 students in the Sainte-Croix school district.
- Young children can attend two years of pre-school, which is not required.
- Primary school lasts for four years. There were 223 students in primary school.
- Lower secondary school is required for six years. There were 223 students in these schools.
- Some students also learn at home or attend other types of schools.
Sainte-Croix has two interesting places for learning: the Musée des Arts et des Sciences (Museum of Arts and Sciences) and the CIMA. These museums attract many visitors each year.
Sports and Recreation
In the winter, Sainte-Croix is a popular place for winter sports. People come here to enjoy activities like skiing and snowboarding.
See also
In Spanish: Sainte-Croix (Vaud) para niños
