List of cities in Switzerland

Population of towns (2022)

Below is a list of towns and cities in Switzerland. Until 2014 municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants were considered to be towns (German: Stadt/Städte, French: ville(s), Italian: città). Since 2014, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) uses a new algorithm (called German: Statistische Städte 2012, or French: Villes statistiques 2012) to define whether a municipality can be called a town or not; it now also depends on its character.[1] Currently, FSO considers 162 municipalities as towns/cities (German: Statistische Städte, French: Villes statistiques) in Switzerland. Further, some municipalities which would fulfill such a definition nevertheless prefer to understand themselves still as a village, or consequently refer to themselves just as municipalities (German: Gemeinde, French: commune, Italian: comune). The Swiss definition of a town differs from the definition of a municipality.[2]: 14–19 

List of towns and cities

This is an alphabetical list of towns or cities (these English terms can be used interchangeably, as there is no official differentiation), which follows the FSO's definition (German: Statistische Städte 2012, French: Villes statistiques 2012), as well as places with historic town rights (h) and/or market towns (m).[2]: 14–19 

  • Places in bold print are towns because of the FSO's definition and historic town/market rights.
  • Places in italics are towns excluded by the FSO's definition, but places which have either historic town rights (h) or historic market rights (m).
  • Places in normal print are towns according to the FSO's definition.
  • Places that had lost historic town rights previously are identified with "-h".
  • Cantonal capitals (German: Hauptort, French: chef-lieu, Italian: capoluogo) are underlined.
Town Town (h) or market (m) right, founding date & reference District Canton Population Agglomeration[3]
Town proper (2020) [4] Agglomeration (2015)[5]
Aarau h 1240–1250[6] Aarau AG 21,726 76,636 Aarau
Aarberg h 1220–1225[7] Aarberg BE 4,626 –
Aarburg h ~1330[8] Zofingen AG 8,577 98,535 Olten–Zofingen
Adliswil – Horgen ZH 19,049 1,334,269 Zurich
Aesch (BL)[note 1] – Arlesheim BL 10,368 541,011 Basel (CH)
Affoltern am Albis[note 2] – Affoltern ZH 12,289 1,334,269 Zurich
Agno[note 2] m Roman & Middle Age[9] Lugano TI 4,376 151,037 Lugano (CH)
Aigle m 1231[10] Aigle VD 10,462 –
Allschwil[note 2] – Arlesheim BL 21,563 541,011 Basel (CH)
Altdorf (UR)[note 2] m n.d., c. Late Middle Age[11] – UR 9,565 31,734 Altdorf (UR)
Altstätten m[12] Rheintal SG 11,938 56,777 Rheintal (CH)
Amriswil – Arbon TG 14,211 25,271 Amriswil–Romanshorn
Appenzell[note 1] m Appenzell AI 5,793 –
Arbon h[13] first half 13th c. Arbon TG 14,950 53,689 Arbon–Rorschach
Arlesheim[note 2] – Arlesheim BL 9,240 541,011 Basel (CH)
Arosa[note 2] – Plessur GR 3,162 –
Arth[note 1] – Schwyz SZ 12,184 –
Ascona h Locarno TI 5,554 55,528 Locarno (CH)
Aubonne h Aubonne VD 3,235 409,295 Lausanne
Avenches h Avenches VD 4,477 –
Baar – – ZG 24,686 127,095 Zug
Baden h Baden AG 19,621 109,255 Baden–Brugg
Basel h – BS 178,120 541,011 Basel (CH)
Bassersdorf – Bülach ZH 11,924 1,334,269 Zurich
Bellinzona h Bellinzona TI 43,360 52,061 Bellinzona
Belp – Bern-Mittelland BE 11,603 410,894 Bern
Bern h Bern-Mittelland BE 134,794 410,894 Bern
Beromünster m Sursee LU 6,661 –
Biasca m Riviera TI 6,094 –
Biel/Bienne h Biel/Bienne BE 55,206 104,542 Biel/Bienne
Binningen – Arlesheim BL 15,750 541,011 Basel (CH)
Birsfelden – Arlesheim BL 10,447 541,011 Basel (CH)
Bischofszell h Bischofszell TG 5,907 –
Boudry h Boudry NE 6,193 89,441 Neuchâtel
Bourg-Saint-Pierre h Entremont VS 211 –
Bremgarten (AG) h Bremgarten AG 8,415 1,334,269 Zurich
Brig-Glis m Brig VS 13,221 47,041 Brig–Visp
Brugg h Brugg AG 12,738 109,255 Baden–Brugg
Buchs (SG) – Werdenberg SG 13,053 27,467 Buchs (SG) (CH)
Bülach h Bülach ZH 21,998 1,334,269 Zurich
Büren a.A. h Seeland BE 3,622 –
Bulle h Gruyère FR 24,412 31,703 Bulle
Burgdorf h Burgdorf BE 16,583 –
Bussigny – Ouest Lausannois VD 9,603 409,295 Lausanne
Carouge (GE) – – GE 22,536 579,227 Genève (CH)
Cham – – ZG 17,042 127,095 Zug
Châtel-Saint-Denis h Veveyse FR 7,449 84,869 Vevey–Montreux
Chêne-Bougeries – – GE 12,621 579,227 Genève (CH)
Chiasso h – TI 7,581 51,668 Chiasso–Mendrisio (CH)
Chur h Plessur GR 36,336 58,266 Chur
Conthey h Conthey VS 8,857 84,138 Sion
Coppet h Nyon VD 3,280 579,227 Genève (CH)
Cossonay h Cossonay VD 4,223 409,295 Lausanne
Croglio h Lugano TI 861 151,037 Lugano (CH)
Crissier – Ouest Lausannois VD 8,727 409,295 Lausanne
Cudrefin h Avenches VD 1,780 –
Cully h Lavaux VD 1,700? 409,295 Lausanne
Davos* – Prättigau/Davos GR 10,832 –
Delémont h Delémont JU 12,618 29,527 Delémont (CH)
Diessenhofen h Diessenhofen TG 4,085 –
Dietikon – Dietikon ZH 28,057 1,334,269 Zurich
Dübendorf – Uster ZH 29,907 1,334,269 Zurich
Ebikon – Lucerne LU 14,066 226,091 Lucerne
Échallens h Échallens VD 5,729 409,295 Lausanne
Ecublens (VD) – Ouest Lausannois VD 13,157 409,295 Lausanne
Eglisau h Bülach ZH 5,491 1,334,269 Zurich
Einsiedeln – Einsiedeln SZ 16,247 –
Elgg h Winterthur ZH 4,960 –
Emmen – Hochdorf LU 31,039 226,091 Lucerne
Erlach h Erlach BE 1,386 –
Estavayer-le-Lac h Broye FR 6,208 –
Flawil – Wil SG 10,510 –
Frauenfeld h Frauenfeld TG 25,974 24,864 Frauenfeld
Freienbach – Höfe SZ 16,520 1,334,269 Zurich
Fribourg h Sarine FR 38,039 105,406 Fribourg
Geneva h – GE 203,856 579,227 Genève (CH)
Gland – Nyon VD 13,258 579,227 Genève (CH)
Glarus m – GL 12,539 30,367 Glarus
Glarus Nord* – – GL 18,832 30,367 Glarus
Gordola h Locarno TI 4,650 55,528 Locarno (CH)
Gossau (SG) – St. Gallen SG 17,990 165,860 St. Gallen
Grandcour h Payerne VD 967 –
Grandson h Grandson VD 3,358 41,079 Yverdon-les-Bains
Greifensee h Uster ZH 5,307 1,334,269 Zurich
Grenchen – Lebern SO 17,577 26,570 Grenchen
Grüningen – Hinwil ZH 3,716 1,334,269 Zurich
Gruyères – Gruyère FR 2,205 –
Herisau – – AR 15,649 165,860 St. Gallen
Hermance h – GE 1,073 579,227 Genève (CH)
Hinwil – Hinwil ZH 11,354 1,334,269 Zurich
Horgen – Horgen ZH 23,090 1,334,269 Zurich
Horw – Lucerne LU 14,211 226,091 Lucerne
Huttwil h Trachselwald BE 5,009 –
Ilanz h Surselva GR 4,797 –
Illnau-Effretikon – Pfäffikon ZH 16,298 1,334,269 Zurich
Interlaken – Interlaken-Oberhasli BE 5,719 23,943 Interlaken
Ittigen – Bern-Mittelland BE 11,430 410,894 Bern
Kaiserstuhl (AG) h Zurzach AG 426 1,334,269 Zurich
Klingnau h Zurzach AG 3,540 –
Kloten h Bülach ZH 20,429 1,334,269 Zurich
Köniz[note 2] – Bern-Mittelland BE 42,388 410,894 Bern
Kreuzlingen – Kreuzlingen TG 22,390 23,713 Kreuzlingen (CH)
Kriens – Lucerne LU 28,245 226,091 Lucerne
Küsnacht (ZH) – Meilen ZH 14,811 1,334,269 Zurich
La Chaux-de-Fonds h La Chaux-de-Fonds NE 36,915 53,002 La Chaux-de-Fonds–Le Locle (CH)
La Neuveville h La Neuveville BE 3,780 –
La Sarraz h Cossonay VD 2,595 –
La Tour-de-Peilz h Vevey VD 12,068 84,869 Vevey–Montreux
La Tour-de-Trême h Gruyère FR 24,412 31,703 Bulle
Lachen (SZ) m March SZ 9,137 29,124 Lachen
Lancy – – GE 33,989 579,227 Genève (CH)
Langenthal m Oberaargau BE 15,544 –
Laufen (BL) h Laufen BL 5,814 541,011 Basel (CH)
Laufenburg h Laufenburg AG 3,659 –
Laupen h Bern-Mittelland BE 3,230 410,894 Bern
Lausanne h Lausanne VD 140,202 409,295 Lausanne
Le Grand-Saconnex – – GE 12,378 579,227 Genève (CH)
Le Landeron h Neuchâtel NE 4,642 –
Le Locle – Le Locle NE 9,864 53,002 La Chaux-de-Fonds–Le Locle (CH)
Lenzburg h Lenzburg AG 11,024 22,188 Lenzburg
Les Clées – Orbe VD 187 –
Leuk m Leuk VS 3,991 –
Lichtensteig h Toggenburg SG 1,879 –
Liestal h Liestal BL 14,963 541,011 Basel (CH)
Locarno h Locarno TI 15,728 55,528 Locarno (CH)
Losone h Locarno TI 6,647 55,528 Locarno (CH)
Lugano h Lugano TI 62,315 151,037 Lugano (CH)
Lutry h Lavaux VD 10,459 409,295 Lausanne
Lucerne h Lucerne LU 82,620 226,091 Lucerne
Lyss – Seeland BE 15,763 –
Männedorf – Meilen ZH 11,397 1,334,269 Zurich
Maienfeld h Landquart GR 3,029 –
Martigny h Martigny VS 18,291 20,818 Martigny
Meilen – Meilen ZH 14,539 1,334,269 Zurich
Mellingen h Baden AG 5,865 109,255 Baden–Brugg
Mendrisio – Mendrisio TI 14,902 51,668 Chiasso–Mendrisio (CH)
Meyrin – – GE 26,129 579,227 Genève (CH)
Möhlin – Rheinfelden AG 11,088 541,011 Basel (CH)
Monthey – Monthey VS 17,820 32,442 Monthey
Montreux – Vevey VD 26,090 84,869 Vevey–Montreux
Morcote | h Lugano TI 734 –
Morges h Morges VD 16,101 409,295 Lausanne
Moudon h Moudon VD 6,101 –
Moutier m Jura bernois BE 7,348 –
Münchenbuchsee – Bern-Mittelland BE 10,233 410,894 Bern
Münchenstein –h Arlesheim BL 12,128 541,011 Basel (CH)
Münsingen – Bern-Mittelland BE 12,966 –
Muri bei Bern – Bern BE 13,182 410,894 Bern
Murten h See FR 8,244 –
Muttenz – Arlesheim BL 18,020 541,011 Basel (CH)
Neuchâtel h Neuchâtel NE 33,455 89,441 Neuchâtel
Neuhausen am Rheinfall – – SH 10,467 69,517 Schaffhausen (CH)
Neunkirch h – SH 2,404 –
Nidau h Biel/Bienne BE 6,943 104,542 Biel/Bienne
Nyon h Nyon VD 21,718 579,227 Genève (CH)
Oberwil (BL) – Arlesheim BL 11,167 541,011 Basel (CH)
Oftringen – Zofingen AG 14,455 98,535 Olten–Zofingen
Olten – Olten SO 18,496 98,535 Olten–Zofingen
Onex – – GE 18,933 579,227 Genève (CH)
Opfikon – Bülach ZH 20,954 1,334,269 Zurich
Orbe h Orbe VD 7,108 –
Orsières m Entremont VS 3,194 –
Ostermundigen – Bern BE 17,758 410,894 Bern
Payerne h Payerne VD 10,069 –
Peseux – Boudry NE 5,796 89,441 Neuchâtel
Pfäffikon – Uster ZH 12,174 1,334,269 Zurich
Plan-les-Ouates – – GE 10,601 579,227 Genève (CH)
Porrentruy h Porrentruy JU 6,434 –
Pratteln – Liestal BL 16,621 541,011 Basel (CH)
Prilly – Lausanne VD 12,360 409,295 Lausanne
Pully – Lausanne VD 18,694 409,295 Lausanne
Rapperswil-Jona h See-Gaster SG 27,483 46,343 Rapperswil-Jona–Rüti
Regensberg h Dielsdorf ZH 459 1,334,269 Zurich
Regensdorf – Dielsdorf ZH 18,568 1,334,269 Zurich
Reinach (BL) – Arlesheim BL 19,260 541,011 Basel (CH)
Renens (VD) – Lausanne VD 20,834 409,295 Lausanne
Rheinau h Andelfingen ZH 1,287 –
Rheineck h Rheintal SG 3,404 53,689 Arbon–Rorschach
Rheinfelden h Rheinfelden AG 13,551 541,011 Basel (CH)
Richterswil – Horgen ZH 13,670 1,334,269 Zurich
Riehen – – BS 21,788 541,011 Basel (CH)
Risch – – ZG 11,212 127,095 Zug
Riva San Vitale h Mendrisio TI 2,626 51,668 Chiasso–Mendrisio (CH)
Rolle h Rolle VD 6,260 –
Romainmôtier h Orbe VD 526 –
Romanshorn h Arbon TG 11,327 25,271 Amriswil–Romanshorn
Romont (FR) h Glane FR 5,417 –
Rorschach m Rorschach SG 9,646 53,689 Arbon–Rorschach
Rue h Glane FR 1,537 –
Rüti (ZH)[note 2] – Hinwil ZH 12,494 46,343 Rapperswil-Jona–Rüti
Saillon h Martigny VS 2,818 –
Saint-Maurice – Saint-Maurice VS 4,518 –
Saint-Prex h Morges VD 5,855 409,295 Lausanne
Saint-Ursanne h Porrentruy JU 700? –
Sargans h Sarganserland SG 6,213 –
Sarnen m – OW 10,514 –
Schaffhausen h – SH 36,952 69,517 Schaffhausen (CH)
Schlieren – Dietikon ZH 19,881 1,334,269 Zurich
Schwyz m Schwyz SZ 15,435 –
Sembrancher – Entremont VS 1,050 –
Sempach h Sursee LU 4,234 –
Sierre – Sierre VS 16,819 26,132 Sierre
Sion h Sion VS 34,978 84,138 Sion
Solothurn h Solothurn SO 16,802 78,046 Solothurn
Spiez –h Niedersimmental BE 12,926 –
Spreitenbach – Baden AG 12,126 1,334,269 Zurich
Splügen m Hinterrhein GR 377 –
St. Gallen h St. Gallen SG 76,213 165,860 St. Gallen
St. Moritz – Maloja GR 4,945 –
Stäfa – Meilen ZH 14,791 1,334,269 Zurich
Stans m - NW 8,171 –
Steckborn h Steckborn TG 3,840 –
Steffisburg – Thun BE 15,991 –
Steinhausen – – ZG 10,198 127,095 Zug
Suhr – Aarau AG 10,724 76,636 Aarau
Stein am Rhein h – SH 3,561 –
Sursee h Sursee LU 10,361 –
Thalwil – Horgen ZH 18,278 1,334,269 Zurich
Thônex – – GE 14,573 579,227 Genève (CH)
Thun h Thun BE 43,476 80,264 Thun
Thusis h Hinterrhein GR 9,453 –
Unterseen h 1280[14] Interlaken BE 5,760 23,943 Interlaken
Urdorf – Dietikon ZH 10,019 1,334,269 Zurich
Uster – Uster ZH 35,337 1,334,269 Zurich
Uznach h See-Gaster SG 6,519 –
Uzwil – Wil SG 13,284 73,299 Wil (SG)
Val-de-Travers – Val-de-Travers NE 10,579 –
Valangin h Val-de-Ruz NE 526 –
Vernier – – GE 34,898 579,227 Genève (CH)
Versoix – – GE 13,281 579,227 Genève (CH)
Vevey h Vevey VD 19,752 84,869 Vevey–Montreux
Veyrier – – GE 11,861 579,227 Genève (CH)
Villeneuve h Roman (Penne Locos),[15] 1214 (Villeneuve-de-Chillon)[16] Aigle VD 5,834 84,869 Vevey–Montreux
Villars-sur-Glâne – Sarine FR 12,219 105,406 Fribourg
Visp m Visp VS 8,060 47,041 Brig–Visp
Volketswil – Uster ZH 18,865 1,334,269 Zurich
Wädenswil – Horgen ZH 21,792 1,334,269 Zurich
Waldenburg h Waldenburg BL 1,124 –
Walenstadt h Sarganserland SG 5,728 –
Wallisellen – Bülach ZH 17,218 –
Wangen an der Aare h Wangen BE 2,377 –
Werdenberg h Werdenberg SG 60 27,467 Buchs (SG) (CH)
Weinfelden – Weinfelden TG 11,629 –
Wettingen – Baden AG 21,099 109,255 Baden–Brugg
Wetzikon (ZH) – Hinwil ZH 25,056 1,334,269 Zurich
Wiedlisbach h Wangen BE 2,382 –
Wil (SG) h Wil SG 24,132 73,299 Wil (SG)
Willisau h Willisau LU 7,752 –
Winterthur h Winterthur ZH 114,220 138,252 Winterthur
Wohlen (AG) – Bremgarten AG 16,881 22,621 Wohlen (AG)
Yverdon-les-Bains h Yverdon VD 29,955 41,079 Yverdon-les-Bains
Zermatt – Visp VS 5,820 –
Zofingen h Zofingen AG 12,104 98,535 Olten–Zofingen
Zollikofen – Bern-Mittelland BE 10,640 410,894 Bern
Zollikon – Meilen ZH 13,311 1,334,269 Zurich
Zug h – ZG 30,934 127,095 Zug
Zürich h Zurich ZH 421,878 1,334,269 Zurich
Bad Zurzach m Zurzach AG 4,379 –

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c It considers itself still as a village.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h It does not call itself a town.

References

  1. ^ "Statistische Städte" (PDF) (official site) (in German and French). Neuchâtel, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Statistical Office. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Statistik der Schweizer Städte 2016" (PDF) (Official Statistical Yearbook) (in German and French). Neuchâtel, Switzerland: Schweizerischer Städteverband / Swiss Federal Statistical Office. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Die Raumgliederungen der Schweiz 2016" (in German, French, Italian, and English). Neuchâtel, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Statistical Office. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Ständige und nichtständige Wohnbevölkerung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, Geburtsort und Staatsangehörigkeit". bfs.admin.ch (in German). Swiss Federal Statistical Office - STAT-TAB. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Städtische Bevölkerung: Agglomerationen und isolierte Städte" (in German and French). Neuchâtel, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Statistical Office. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  6. ^ Alfred Lüthi: Aarau in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 12 September 2016.
  7. ^ Anne-Marie Dubler: Aarberg (Gemeinde) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 28 November 2013.
  8. ^ Andreas Steigmeier: Aarburg (Gemeinde) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 23 June 2009.
  9. ^ Bernardino Croci Maspoli: Agno in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 30 June 2009.
  10. ^ Jean-Jacques Bouquet: Aigle (Gemeinde) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 25 June 2009.
  11. ^ Hans Stadler: Altdorf (UR) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 5 October 2011.
  12. ^ Johannes Vogel: Altstätten (Gemeinde) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 7 October 2010.
  13. ^ Albin Hasenfratz, Hansjörg Brem, Kurt Buenzli: Arbon in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 20 October 2010.
  14. ^ Anne-Marie Dubler: Unterseen in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 13 February 2013.
  15. ^ Michèle Grote: Villeneuve (VD) in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 23 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Histoire de Villeneuve". Commune de Villeneuve (in French). Archived from the original on 29 October 2019.