About Stein (AR)
Stein is a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland.
- Canton
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden
- Area
- 9.4 km²
Population
1'497residents
Median taxable income
CHF 66'952
Vacancy
1.23%
Foreign residents
7.7%
Dwellings
732
Jobs (FTE)
528
Tax multiplier
370%
Land use across the commune
Every 100 × 100 m of Stein (AR), coloured by how it's used. Drawn from the BFS Arealstatistik 2025 release — the most recent nationwide snapshot.
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Loading statistics …
Jobs & economy
528 full-time-equivalent jobs across 142 businesses — services make up 70% of employment, industry 13% (2018).
Source BFS STATENT
528FTE total
Primary16.7%
Secondary12.9%
Tertiary70.5%
Land use
9% built-up, 66% agricultural, 23% forest. Measured across 936 hectares (2009).
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Settlement9.1%
Agriculture67.3%
Forest23.6%
Water0.0%
Election Results
SVP led the 2023 National Council election with 52.6%, ahead of FDP at 35.8%.
Source BFS
SVP52.6%−2.5 pp
FDP35.8%−8.6 pp
Mitte10.3%
2023 vs 2019
Primary / second-home mix
86.9% of dwellings are primary residences; 13.1% are second homes (2026).
Source BFS
Primary residences86.9%
Second homes13.1%
Climate data
Annual mean 8.7°C with 1'433 mm of rain. Warmest in July (17.5°C), coldest in January (0.2°C). Station: St. Gallen, 776 m.
Source MeteoSchweiz
8.7°C
Annual mean
Mean 8.7°C
Rain 1433 mm
Sun ≈135 days
St. Gallen · 776 m.a.s.l. · 1991–2020 normals
Warming trend
Mean annual temperature at St. Gallen has risen by +2.5°C between the first 30 observed years (1864–1893) and the most recent (1996–2025).
Source MeteoSchweiz NBCN
+2.5°C
mean 1996–2025 vs. 1864–1893
St. Gallen · 776 m.a.s.l. · 1864–2025
