Open Data Insight of the Day

Nestled in the Bezirk Arlesheim, the municipality of Biel-Benken is a charming community in the Basel-Landschaft canton of Switzerland. Situated at an altitude of 325 meters above sea level, Biel-Benken covers a total area of 412 hectares. This picturesque municipality is highlighted in Table 2, which summarizes its key features, and is pinpointed on the map in Figure 1.

Biel-Benken boasts a rich history dating back to the 13th century. Initially owned by the Basel knightly family of Schaler, the villages of Biel and Benken were sold to the city of Basel in 1526. Following the Reformation in 1529, they became part of a reformed parish. The two villages merged on January 1, 1972, forming the municipality of Biel-Benken. For more historical insights, visit the Wikipedia page.

As of 2024, Biel-Benken has a population of 3,508, with women slightly outnumbering men at 1,786 to 1,722. Swiss citizens constitute the majority with 2,956 residents, while foreigners make up 15.74% of the population. The community is ranked 22nd in population size within the canton. The age distribution includes 629 young residents (0-17 years), 2,036 working-age individuals (18-65 years), and 843 older adults (over 65 years). Table 2 provides a detailed view of the population by age groups since 2005.

The land use in Biel-Benken is predominantly agricultural, covering 52.2% of the area, while settlements occupy 27.7%, and forests make up 20.1% of the landscape. The municipality's total surface area is 412 hectares.

In terms of tax revenue, Biel-Benken ranks 22nd among the 86 municipalities of Baselland, with a municipal tax multiplier that places it in a competitive position within the canton.

Energy consumption in Biel-Benken is diverse, with electricity usage amounting to 9,193.8 MWh in 2022. Other significant energy carriers include Heizöl (17,916.81 MWh), Holz (6,103 MWh), and Photovoltaik (4,183.178 MWh). The municipality ranks 74th in electricity consumption per capita among all municipalities in the canton, indicating moderate usage levels. This ranking suggests that Biel-Benken is neither in the top nor bottom 10 municipalities, which could be attributed to the absence of large industrial activities that typically increase electricity consumption.

The vehicle stock in Biel-Benken comprises 2,271 passenger cars and delivery vans as of 2026. Of these, 1,817 are powered by combustion engines, while 454 are electric vehicles, representing 20% of the total vehicle stock. This data, detailed in Table 3, reflects the community's gradual shift towards more sustainable transportation options.