About Herisau
Herisau is a municipality and the capital of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland. It is the seat of the canton's government and parliament; the judicial authorities are situated in Trogen.
- Canton
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden
- Area
- 25.2 km²
Population
15'943residents
Median taxable income
CHF 60'678
Vacancy
1.01%
Foreign residents
25.6%
Dwellings
8'812
Jobs (FTE)
10'023
Tax multiplier
410%
Land use across the commune
Every 100 × 100 m of Herisau, 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
10'023 full-time-equivalent jobs across 1'401 businesses — services make up 68% of employment, industry 30% (2018).
Source BFS STATENT
10'023FTE total
Primary2.3%
Secondary29.8%
Tertiary67.9%
Land use
17% built-up, 54% agricultural, 28% forest. Measured across 2'520 hectares (2009).
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Settlement17.4%
Agriculture54.6%
Forest28.0%
Water0.0%
Election Results
SVP led the 2023 National Council election with 52.8%, ahead of FDP at 24.1%.
Source BFS
SVP52.8%−11.9 pp
FDP24.1%−9.5 pp
Mitte22.5%
2023 vs 2019
Primary / second-home mix
84.1% of dwellings are primary residences; 15.9% are second homes (2026).
Source BFS
Primary residences84.1%
Second homes15.9%
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