Kapfenberg: population and statistics
Kapfenberg has a population of 21,796 (2026) across 82.1 km², or 266 people per km². It ranks 24 of 2,092 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −5.5% between 2016 and 2026.
- 21,796 residents
- 82.1 km²
- 266 people/km²
- 499 m
Kapfenberg in numbers
Key points
Among the 285 municipalities in Styria, Kapfenberg ranks No. 3 by population.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 25.0% of the area's trade licences.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 39° generates about 1,157 kWh a year here.
Did you know?
- “Private households”: higher than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Families”: higher than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Persons employed in establishments in the municipality”: higher than in 99% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 11,497 football pitches.
- Its population density is 2.4 times the national average.
- The nearest municipality is Bruck an der Mur, 3.6 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Graz (306,971 residents), 43 km away.
Population of Kapfenberg over time
Kapfenberg had 23,067 residents in 2016 and 21,796 in 2026.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,380 |
| 2022 | 22,138 |
| 2023 | 22,182 |
| 2024 | 22,080 |
| 2025 | 21,907 |
| 2026 | 21,796 |
All indicators for Kapfenberg
Value for the municipality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the municipality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Kapfenberg | Styria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of people under 15 (2026) | 12.5% | 13.3% | 14.5% | ranked 1,627 of 1,982 | |
| Share of people aged 65 and over (2026) | 25.2% | 22.6% | 22.1% | ranked 433 of 1,982 | |
| Median age (2026) | 48.7 years | – | 46.2 | ranked 547 of 1,982 | |
| Share of women (2026) | 50.5% | 50.6% | 50.3% | ranked 767 of 1,982 |
Housing
| Indicator | Kapfenberg | Styria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private households (2024) | 10,543 | 571,442 | 4,139,571 | ranked 23 of 2,091 | |
| Average household size (2024) | 2.06 persons | – | 2.35 | ranked 1,855 of 1,981 |
Economy
| Indicator | Kapfenberg | Styria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2024) | 1,145 | 105,495 | 743,940 | ranked 49 of 2,091 | |
| Establishments (2024) | 1,435 | 121,407 | 850,266 | ranked 46 of 2,091 | |
| Establishments per 1,000 inhabitants (2024) | 65.5 | 96.3 | 91.3 | ranked 1,814 of 1,981 | |
| Active trade licences (2026) | 1,562 | 128,664 | 945,381 | ranked 47 of 2,088 | |
| Trade licences per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 71.7 | 102.1 | 98.4 | ranked 1,836 of 1,978 | |
| Municipal taxes and levies per inhabitant (2019) | 725 € | 543 € | 344 € | ranked 232 of 1,976 | |
| Municipal debt per inhabitant (2019) | 235 € | 2,098 € | 1,414 € | ranked 1,834 of 1,976 |
Employment
| Indicator | Kapfenberg | Styria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate (aged 15 to 64) (2024) | 70.1% | 74.9% | 77.4% | ranked 1,881 of 1,981 | |
| Unemployment rate (aged 15 and over) (2024) | 7.2% | 5.3% | 3.5% | ranked 114 of 1,981 | |
| Persons employed in establishments in the municipality (2024) | 14,923 | 664,318 | 4,878,849 | ranked 22 of 2,091 | |
| Jobs per 100 inhabitants (2024) | 68.1 | 52.8 | 32.4 | ranked 177 of 1,981 |
Transport
| Indicator | Kapfenberg | Styria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of out-commuters among employed persons by place of residence (2024) | 44.8% | 59.0% | 77.3% | ranked 1,931 of 1,981 |
Society
| Indicator | Kapfenberg | Styria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of foreign nationals (2024) | 22.7% | 14.5% | 8.5% | ranked 104 of 1,981 | |
| Families (2024) | 6,097 | 351,251 | 2,490,615 | ranked 24 of 2,091 |
Education
| Indicator | Kapfenberg | Styria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of people aged 15 and over with an apprenticeship, BMS, AHS or BHS as highest qualification (2024) | 63.9% | 62.0% | 66.4% | ranked 1,443 of 1,981 | |
| Share of people aged 15 and over with a university, academy or college qualification as highest qualification (2024) | 8.6% | 16.1% | 11.0% | ranked 1,518 of 1,981 |
Business sectors: Kapfenberg
Share of each sector in total trade licences; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Wholesale and retail trade25.0% ×1.1
- Health and social work12.0% ×1.2
- Professional, scientific and technical9.8% ×0.7
- Other service activities9.1% ×1.1
- Administrative and support services8.0% ×1.0
- Construction7.7% ×1.2
- Accommodation and food services7.3% ×1.0
- Manufacturing6.1% ×1.0
Sunshine and temperatures: Kapfenberg
Where is Kapfenberg?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kapfenberg?
Kapfenberg has 21,796 residents (2026), ranking 24 of 2,092 municipalities.
How big is Kapfenberg?
Kapfenberg covers 82.1 km², with a density of 266 people per km².
Is the population of Kapfenberg growing?
Between 2016 and 2026, the population of Kapfenberg went from 23,067 to 21,796, a change of −5.5%.
Where is Kapfenberg?
Kapfenberg is in Styria. It belongs to Bruck-Mürzzuschlag (district). Latitude 47.439, longitude 15.289.
Private households: what is the figure for Kapfenberg?
In Kapfenberg, “Private households” stands at 10,543 (2024), ranking 23 of 2,091 municipalities; the national median is 771.
Families: what is the figure for Kapfenberg?
In Kapfenberg, “Families” stands at 6,097 (2024), ranking 24 of 2,091 municipalities; the national median is 534.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Kapfenberg?
In Kapfenberg, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 39° produces about 1,157 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Kapfenberg?
The nearest to Kapfenberg are Bruck an der Mur (3.6 km), Sankt Marein im Mürztal (7.3 km), Sankt Lorenzen im Mürztal (7.6 km), Pernegg an der Mur (9.3 km), Thörl (10 km).