About 1978 Lens
A lens is a transmissive optical device that focuses or disperses a light beam by means of refraction. A simple lens consists of a single piece of transparent material, while a compound lens consists of several simple lenses (elements), usually arranged along a common axis. Lenses are made from materials such as glass or plastic and are ground, polished, or molded to the required shape. A lens can focus light to form an image, unlike a prism, which refracts light without focusing. Devices that similarly focus or disperse waves and radiation other than visible light are also called "lenses", such as microwave lenses, electron lenses, acoustic lenses, or explosive lenses.
- Canton
- Valais
- Area
- 14.0 km²
Population
4'570residents
Median taxable income
CHF 61'970
Vacancy
3.08%
Foreign residents
34.0%
Dwellings
5'390
Jobs (FTE)
1'688
Tax multiplier
105%
Land use across the commune
Every 100 × 100 m of 1978 Lens, 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
1'688 full-time-equivalent jobs across 356 businesses — services make up 76% of employment, industry 10% (2018).
Source BFS STATENT
1'688FTE total
Primary13.4%
Secondary10.2%
Tertiary76.4%
Land use
22% built-up, 34% agricultural, 40% forest. Measured across 1'401 hectares (2018).
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Settlement23.2%
Agriculture35.4%
Forest41.4%
Water0.0%
Election Results
Mitte led the 2023 National Council election with 33.2%, ahead of SVP at 23.7%.
Source BFS
Mitte33.2%
SVP23.7%+6.5 pp
FDP19.2%−3.5 pp
SP12.2%−4.4 pp
Grüne7.3%−1.5 pp
GLP3.8%+3.1 pp
PdA0.7%
2023 vs 2019
Primary / second-home mix
41.8% of dwellings are primary residences; 58.2% are second homes (2026). The Zweitwohnungsgesetz applies here — new second-home construction is restricted.
Source BFS
Primary residences41.8%
Second homes58.2%
Second-home quota > 20% — Zweitwohnungsgesetz applies
Climate data
Annual mean 6.3°C with 834 mm of rain. Warmest in July (15.0°C), coldest in January (-1.6°C). Station: Montana, 1423 m.
Source MeteoSchweiz
6.3°C
Annual mean
Mean 6.3°C
Rain 834 mm
Sun ≈178 days
Montana · 1423 m.a.s.l. · 1991–2020 normals
Warming trend
Mean annual temperature at Sion has risen by +2.6°C between the first 30 observed years (1864–1893) and the most recent (1996–2025).
Source MeteoSchweiz NBCN
+2.6°C
mean 1996–2025 vs. 1864–1893
Sion · 482 m.a.s.l. · 1864–2025
