View of the countryside around BargenAerial view (1964)
Bargen has an area, as of 2006[update], of 8.3 km2 (3.2 sq mi). Of this area, 29.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 65.8% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 4.8% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (0.2%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).[4]
The municipality is located in the Schaffhausen district. It is a farming village on the northernmost point of Switzerland. The municipality includes a notable protected natural area, Tannbüehl, which is known for its over 20 varieties of orchids.
Demographics
Bargen has a population (as of 2008[update]) of 249, of which 12.4% are foreign nationals. Of the foreign population, (as of 2008[update]), 60% are from Germany, 22.9% are from Italy, 11.4% are from Croatia, and 5.7% are from another country.[5] Over the last 10 years the population has decreased at a rate of -2.1%. Most of the population (as of 2000[update]) speaks German (96.0%), with Italian being second most common ( 1.6%) and Serbo-Croatian being third ( 1.2%). There is also a small but significant population of Poles. (0.23)[4]
The age distribution of the population (as of 2008[update]) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 18.9% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 59.8% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 21.3%.
In the 2007 federal election the most popular party was the SVP which received 65.2% of the vote. The next two most popular parties were the SP (23.7%), and the FDP (11.2%).[4]
The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Bargen about 73.6% of the population (between age 25–64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule).[4] In Bargen, as of 2007[update], 3.86% of the population is attending kindergarten or another pre-school, 8.58% are attending a Primary School, 3.86% attend a lower level Secondary School, and 2.58% attend a higher level Secondary School.[5]
The historical population is given in the following table:[3]
year
population
1850
327
1900
226
1950
203
2000
248
Coat of arms
The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Or a Plumb Sable topped with a Hat of the same trimmed Argent feathered Vert, Gules and of the first.[6]
Industry
Bargen has an unemployment rate of 1.15%. As of 2005[update], there were 22 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 9 businesses involved in this sector. 5 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 2 businesses in this sector. 68 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 11 businesses in this sector.[4]
As of 2008[update] the mid year average unemployment rate was 1.8%. There were 12 non-agrarian businesses in the municipality and 5.1% of the (non-agrarian) population was involved in the secondary sector of the economy while 94.9% were involved in the third. At the same time, 71.2% of the working population was employed full-time, and 28.8% was employed part-time. There were 59 residents of the municipality were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 54.2% of the workforce. As of 2000[update] there were 42 residents who worked in the municipality, while 83 residents worked outside Bargen and 26 people commuted into the municipality for work.[5]
As of 2008[update], there are 2 restaurants, and 1 hotel with 10 beds. The hospitality industry in Bargen employs 6 people.[5]
Transportation
The A4 expressway passes through Bargen and enters into Germany after a customs facility.
Places of interest
The "Tannbuel" is one of the most important and well-known conservation lands of the Randen mountains. Hundreds of nature friends visit the area every year, in order to experience the "Frauenschueli"-orchid flush in May and June. The "Tannbuel" is one of the most interesting locations of our region and offers more than "Frauenschueli".
