Schärding: population and statistics
Schärding has a population of 5,613 (2026) across 4.0 km², or 1,417 people per km². It ranks 227 of 2,092 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
- 5,613 residents
- 4.0 km²
- 1,417 people/km²
- 323 m
Schärding in numbers
Key points
Among the 438 municipalities in Upper Austria, Schärding ranks No. 42 by population.
Share of foreign nationals: 27.8% in Schärding, compared with an average of 16.3% in Upper Austria and 20.1% nationally.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 26.5% of the area's trade licences.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 38° generates about 1,116 kWh a year here.
Did you know?
- “Average household size”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Share of foreign nationals”: higher than in 98% of municipalities.
- “Share of people aged 15 and over with an apprenticeship, BMS, AHS or BHS as highest qualification”: lower than in 98% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 555 football pitches.
- Its population density is 12.9 times the national average.
- The nearest municipality is St. Florian am Inn, 1.9 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Ried im Innkreis (12,965 residents), 28 km away.
Population of Schärding over time
Schärding had 4,997 residents in 2016 and 5,613 in 2026.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,216 |
| 2022 | 5,215 |
| 2023 | 5,351 |
| 2024 | 5,414 |
| 2025 | 5,595 |
| 2026 | 5,613 |
All indicators for Schärding
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 | Schärding | Upper Austria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of people under 15 (2026) | 12.0% | 14.9% | 14.5% | ranked 1,729 of 1,982 | |
| Share of people aged 65 and over (2026) | 25.5% | 20.7% | 22.1% | ranked 395 of 1,982 | |
| Median age (2026) | 47.2 years | – | 46.2 | ranked 793 of 1,982 | |
| Share of women (2026) | 51.6% | 50.2% | 50.3% | ranked 229 of 1,982 |
Housing
| Indicator | Schärding | Upper Austria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private households (2024) | 2,770 | 669,046 | 4,139,571 | ranked 189 of 2,091 | |
| Average household size (2024) | 1.94 persons | – | 2.35 | ranked 1,953 of 1,981 |
Economy
| Indicator | Schärding | Upper Austria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2024) | 420 | 114,084 | 743,940 | ranked 260 of 2,091 | |
| Establishments (2024) | 585 | 131,483 | 850,266 | ranked 187 of 2,091 | |
| Establishments per 1,000 inhabitants (2024) | 105.9 | 85.6 | 91.3 | ranked 522 of 1,981 | |
| Active trade licences (2026) | 591 | 145,564 | 945,381 | ranked 227 of 2,088 | |
| Trade licences per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 105.3 | 95.2 | 98.4 | ranked 739 of 1,978 | |
| Municipal taxes and levies per inhabitant (2019) | 704 € | 613 € | 344 € | ranked 253 of 1,976 | |
| Municipal debt per inhabitant (2019) | 1,276 € | 1,687 € | 1,414 € | ranked 1,082 of 1,976 |
Employment
| Indicator | Schärding | Upper Austria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate (aged 15 to 64) (2024) | 71.0% | 76.9% | 77.4% | ranked 1,853 of 1,981 | |
| Unemployment rate (aged 15 and over) (2024) | 7.2% | 4.7% | 3.5% | ranked 114 of 1,981 | |
| Persons employed in establishments in the municipality (2024) | 4,807 | 845,602 | 4,878,849 | ranked 130 of 2,091 | |
| Jobs per 100 inhabitants (2024) | 87.0 | 55.1 | 32.4 | ranked 88 of 1,981 |
Transport
| Indicator | Schärding | Upper Austria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of out-commuters among employed persons by place of residence (2024) | 64.2% | 66.2% | 77.3% | ranked 1,693 of 1,981 |
Society
| Indicator | Schärding | Upper Austria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of foreign nationals (2024) | 27.8% | 16.3% | 8.5% | ranked 40 of 1,981 | |
| Families (2024) | 1,388 | 427,948 | 2,490,615 | ranked 291 of 2,091 |
Education
| Indicator | Schärding | Upper Austria | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of people aged 15 and over with an apprenticeship, BMS, AHS or BHS as highest qualification (2024) | 54.5% | 60.5% | 66.4% | ranked 1,949 of 1,981 | |
| Share of people aged 15 and over with a university, academy or college qualification as highest qualification (2024) | 14.1% | 13.8% | 11.0% | ranked 481 of 1,981 |
Business sectors: Schärding
Share of each sector in total trade licences; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Wholesale and retail trade26.5% ×1.2
- Accommodation and food services12.1% ×1.6
- Other service activities10.4% ×1.2
- Professional, scientific and technical10.3% ×0.8
- Administrative and support services8.9% ×1.1
- Finance and insurance7.0% ×2.7
- Manufacturing6.5% ×1.1
- Information and communication6.2% ×0.8
Sunshine and temperatures: Schärding
Where is Schärding?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Schärding?
Schärding has 5,613 residents (2026), ranking 227 of 2,092 municipalities.
How big is Schärding?
Schärding covers 4.0 km², with a density of 1,417 people per km².
Is the population of Schärding growing?
Between 2016 and 2026, the population of Schärding went from 4,997 to 5,613, a change of +12.3%.
Where is Schärding?
Schärding is in Upper Austria. It belongs to Schärding (district). Latitude 48.457, longitude 13.432.
Average household size: what is the figure for Schärding?
In Schärding, “Average household size” stands at 1.94 persons (2024), ranking 1,953 of 1,981 municipalities; the national median is 2.35 persons.
Share of foreign nationals: what is the figure for Schärding?
In Schärding, “Share of foreign nationals” stands at 27.8% (2024), ranking 40 of 1,981 municipalities; the national median is 8.5%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Schärding?
In Schärding, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 38° produces about 1,116 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Schärding?
The nearest to Schärding are St. Florian am Inn (1.9 km), Brunnenthal (2.8 km), Suben (4.5 km), Wernstein am Inn (6.1 km), Rainbach im Innkreis (7.5 km).