Canton of Zurich: observed built density
Canton · 160 municipalities with parcel data · Parcel data as of July 2025
- Parcels
- 390’156
11 % of Switzerland
- Municipal zones
- 3’083
- Median utilization
- 40 %
Switzerland: 10 %
- Median GFZ
- 0.22
Switzerland: 0.09
- Median height
- 10.5 m
Switzerland: 9.5 m
- Median floors
- 2.8
Switzerland: 2.3
About Canton of Zurich
The parcel data covers 160 municipalities of the canton of Zurich: 390’156 parcels in 3’083 municipal zone records. The municipalities with the most parcels are Zürich, Winterthur and Uster.
The median parcel is built to a volume utilization of 40 %; half of the parcels lie between 5 % and 95 %. The Swiss median is 10 %, so Zurich sits above it.
The median building height is 10.5 m at 2.8 floors, and the median floor-area ratio (GFZ) is 0.22. Parcels built in the last 20 years reach a mean volume utilization of 112 % (33’614 parcels), higher than the 72 % across all building years.
Parcels by municipal zone
| Zone | Parcels | Median utilization |
|---|---|---|
| Kantonale Landwirtschaftszone | 82’098 | - |
| Wald | 35’839 | - |
| Kernzone | 18’268 | - |
| viergeschossige Wohnzone | 8’046 | 71 % |
| W2/2.0 | 5’834 | 85 % |
| dreigeschossige Wohnzone | 5’747 | - |
| Kernzone I | 4’491 | - |
| Wohnzone 2 | 4’470 | - |
| Freihaltezone | 4’439 | - |
| Wohnzone 2B | 4’177 | - |
| Kernzone A | 4’114 | - |
| Kernzone B | 3’937 | - |
| Other zones (913) | 208’696 | - |
Zone labels are municipal spellings, so one zone type can appear under several names.
Volume utilization (ratioV)
Of the 386’217 parcels with a value, half lie between 5 % and 95 %. The median is 40 % and the mean 63 %.
Share of parcels by range
- below 50 %53 %
- 50 % to below 100 %25 %
- 100 % to below 150 %15 %
- 150 % and above8 %
Floor-area ratio (GFZ)
Of the 386’164 parcels with a value, half lie between 0.05 and 0.67. The median is 0.22 and the mean 0.46.
Share of parcels by range
- below 0.5065 %
- 0.50 to below 1.0022 %
- 1.00 to below 1.508 %
- 1.50 and above5 %
Building height
Of the 208’248 parcels with a value, half lie between 8.6 m and 12.8 m. The median is 10.5 m and the mean 11.0 m.
Share of parcels by range
- below 8 m17 %
- 8 m to below 12 m52 %
- 12 m to below 20 m28 %
- 20 m and above3 %
Number of floors
Of the 170’564 parcels with a value, half lie between 2.0 and 3.5. The median is 2.8 and the mean 3.0.
Share of parcels by range
- below 29 %
- 2 to below 332 %
- 3 to below 546 %
- 5 and above13 %
Building age cohorts
Mean volume utilization of the parcels built inside each window, from all years on record down to the last five. The windows overlap: the last 20 years include the last 5.
| Built in | Parcels | Mean utilization |
|---|---|---|
| All years | 390’156 | 72 % |
| Last 60 years | 132’068 | 115 % |
| Last 40 years | 84’206 | 116 % |
| Last 20 years | 33’614 | 112 % |
| Last 15 years | 22’534 | 115 % |
| Last 10 years | 13’604 | 119 % |
| Last 5 years | 5’817 | 121 % |
Municipalities of the canton of Zurich
| Name | Parcels | Zones | Median utilization | Median height | Median floors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zürich | 39’697 | 55 | 74 % | 14.8 m | 4.9 |
| Winterthur | 21’729 | 38 | 73 % | 10.8 m | 2.9 |
| Uster | 8’039 | 33 | 44 % | 10.4 m | 2.7 |
| Wädenswil | 7’541 | 48 | 20 % | 11.1 m | 2.6 |
| Horgen | 6’320 | 46 | 23 % | 11.0 m | 2.9 |
| Illnau-Effretikon | 5’623 | 30 | 10 % | 10.3 m | 2.5 |
| Wetzikon (ZH) | 5’458 | 32 | 50 % | 9.7 m | 2.4 |
| Dübendorf | 5’124 | 29 | 52 % | 10.3 m | 2.7 |
| Hinwil | 4’928 | 25 | 11 % | 9.5 m | 2.4 |
| Bauma | 4’836 | 23 | 8 % | 9.3 m | 2.5 |
| Pfäffikon | 4’708 | 21 | 9 % | 9.8 m | 2.6 |
| Wald (ZH) | 4’542 | 23 | 10 % | 10.3 m | 2.6 |
| Bäretswil | 4’457 | 21 | 7 % | 9.7 m | 2.3 |
| Stäfa | 4’304 | 31 | 56 % | 10.5 m | 2.8 |
| Gossau (ZH) | 4’274 | 21 | 20 % | 10.0 m | 2.7 |
| Küsnacht (ZH) | 4’244 | 41 | 62 % | 10.7 m | 2.8 |
| Meilen | 4’241 | 31 | 33 % | 10.5 m | 2.9 |
| Maur | 4’170 | 19 | 31 % | 9.8 m | 2.6 |
| Volketswil | 3’784 | 22 | 55 % | 10.1 m | 2.6 |
| Hombrechtikon | 3’750 | 20 | 10 % | 9.6 m | 2.3 |
| Wiesendangen | 3’742 | 20 | 10 % | 9.5 m | 2.3 |
| Egg | 3’599 | 20 | 11 % | 10.0 m | 2.5 |
| Männedorf | 3’524 | 28 | 66 % | 10.3 m | 2.8 |
| Bülach | 3’469 | 36 | 49 % | 10.8 m | 2.9 |
| Dietikon | 3’390 | 30 | 59 % | 11.2 m | 2.9 |
| Regensdorf | 3’365 | 28 | 45 % | 9.8 m | 2.5 |
| Rüti (ZH) | 3’328 | 26 | 68 % | 10.4 m | 2.6 |
| Richterswil | 3’318 | 19 | 62 % | 10.7 m | 2.8 |
| Elgg | 3’316 | 26 | 8 % | 10.1 m | 2.3 |
| Dürnten | 3’299 | 24 | 40 % | 9.6 m | 2.5 |
| Kloten | 3’264 | 32 | 22 % | 10.6 m | 2.8 |
| Zell (ZH) | 3’207 | 21 | 8 % | 9.7 m | 2.2 |
| Stammheim | 3’178 | 21 | 8 % | 10.1 m | 2.1 |
| Wallisellen | 3’117 | 27 | 58 % | 11.0 m | 2.7 |
| Wangen-Brüttisellen | 3’106 | 26 | 8 % | 9.6 m | 2.7 |
| Zollikon | 3’068 | 23 | 66 % | 11.6 m | 3.0 |
| Bubikon | 3’055 | 21 | 44 % | 10.0 m | 2.5 |
| Bassersdorf | 2’974 | 20 | 40 % | 9.6 m | 2.6 |
| Thalwil | 2’974 | 21 | 63 % | 11.8 m | 3.0 |
| Affoltern am Albis | 2’966 | 20 | 49 % | 10.5 m | 2.7 |
| Glattfelden | 2’951 | 20 | 8 % | 9.6 m | 2.4 |
| Turbenthal | 2’931 | 19 | 8 % | 10.1 m | 2.1 |
| Neftenbach | 2’872 | 19 | 10 % | 10.2 m | 2.5 |
| Adliswil | 2’829 | 27 | 61 % | 11.0 m | 2.8 |
| Russikon | 2’672 | 18 | 10 % | 9.4 m | 2.4 |
| Niederhasli | 2’662 | 23 | 54 % | 9.4 m | 2.6 |
| Embrach | 2’612 | 24 | 48 % | 9.9 m | 2.6 |
| Fischenthal | 2’581 | 16 | 8 % | 9.6 m | 2.4 |
| Seuzach | 2’546 | 21 | 68 % | 9.3 m | 2.4 |
| Hittnau | 2’486 | 16 | 8 % | 10.1 m | 2.6 |
| Herrliberg | 2’444 | 16 | 44 % | 10.4 m | 2.7 |
| Mettmenstetten | 2’338 | 20 | 12 % | 10.7 m | 2.5 |
| Birmensdorf (ZH) | 2’334 | 22 | 10 % | 10.3 m | 2.5 |
| Langnau am Albis | 2’233 | 23 | 50 % | 9.7 m | 2.3 |
| Lindau | 2’213 | 30 | 25 % | 9.7 m | 2.3 |
| Fällanden | 2’191 | 20 | 53 % | 9.8 m | 2.6 |
| Obfelden | 2’168 | 25 | 48 % | 9.4 m | 2.6 |
| Nürensdorf | 2’151 | 15 | 41 % | 9.1 m | 2.4 |
| Elsau | 2’086 | 21 | 10 % | 9.7 m | 2.4 |
| Schlieren | 2’056 | 30 | 51 % | 12.0 m | 3.0 |
| Hausen am Albis | 2’041 | 19 | 37 % | 10.0 m | 2.5 |
| Weisslingen | 2’041 | 17 | 10 % | 9.6 m | 2.4 |
| Rümlang | 2’036 | 31 | 10 % | 9.8 m | 2.4 |
| Rafz | 2’020 | 21 | 39 % | 9.8 m | 2.3 |
| Eglisau | 2’004 | 27 | 43 % | 10.2 m | 2.7 |
| Opfikon | 1’947 | 35 | 65 % | 11.3 m | 2.9 |
| Grüningen | 1’872 | 16 | 9 % | 10.3 m | 2.7 |
| Dietlikon | 1’871 | 18 | 30 % | 9.6 m | 2.4 |
| Zumikon | 1’844 | 21 | 41 % | 9.6 m | 2.5 |
| Weiningen (ZH) | 1’820 | 15 | 8 % | 10.0 m | 2.7 |
| Fehraltorf | 1’817 | 18 | 13 % | 10.0 m | 2.8 |
| Marthalen | 1’812 | 15 | 8 % | 10.5 m | 2.4 |
| Uetikon am See | 1’795 | 22 | 55 % | 10.1 m | 2.8 |
| Erlenbach (ZH) | 1’776 | 21 | 63 % | 10.4 m | 2.7 |
| Kleinandelfingen | 1’773 | 17 | 8 % | 9.8 m | 2.2 |
| Stallikon | 1’763 | 20 | 10 % | 9.9 m | 2.5 |
| Urdorf | 1’715 | 23 | 52 % | 10.2 m | 2.5 |
| Oetwil am See | 1’700 | 20 | 31 % | 9.9 m | 2.6 |
| Kilchberg (ZH) | 1’682 | 22 | 68 % | 11.9 m | 3.0 |
| Stadel | 1’658 | 14 | 8 % | 9.9 m | 2.3 |
| Mönchaltorf | 1’652 | 19 | 30 % | 9.6 m | 2.6 |
| Wil (ZH) | 1’629 | 12 | 7 % | 10.0 m | 2.3 |
| Ossingen | 1’618 | 17 | 7 % | 10.2 m | 2.2 |
| Bonstetten | 1’595 | 21 | 54 % | 9.8 m | 2.6 |
| Hagenbuch | 1’573 | 10 | 6 % | 10.2 m | 2.4 |
| Winkel | 1’556 | 16 | 12 % | 9.3 m | 2.4 |
| Oberglatt | 1’555 | 26 | 39 % | 10.4 m | 2.7 |
| Wettswil am Albis | 1’553 | 14 | 62 % | 9.0 m | 2.4 |
| Rickenbach (ZH) | 1’540 | 16 | 43 % | 9.5 m | 2.2 |
| Trüllikon | 1’540 | 13 | 7 % | 10.2 m | 2.3 |
| Wila | 1’522 | 20 | 9 % | 9.6 m | 2.4 |
| Hettlingen | 1’519 | 12 | 49 % | 9.1 m | 2.2 |
| Steinmaur | 1’512 | 15 | 9 % | 9.8 m | 2.1 |
| Hedingen | 1’482 | 25 | 56 % | 9.7 m | 2.4 |
| Rüschlikon | 1’457 | 24 | 58 % | 11.6 m | 2.9 |
| Buchs (ZH) | 1’441 | 21 | 51 % | 10.0 m | 2.7 |
| Pfungen | 1’420 | 22 | 54 % | 10.1 m | 2.5 |
| Dielsdorf | 1’403 | 21 | 45 % | 10.6 m | 2.6 |
| Oberrieden | 1’388 | 19 | 54 % | 11.4 m | 2.8 |
| Uitikon | 1’384 | 17 | 56 % | 9.3 m | 2.4 |
| Aeugst am Albis | 1’322 | 11 | 9 % | 10.4 m | 2.4 |
| Neerach | 1’321 | 14 | 41 % | 9.6 m | 2.4 |
| Rorbas | 1’306 | 15 | 10 % | 10.7 m | 2.7 |
| Freienstein-Teufen | 1’285 | 13 | 9 % | 10.2 m | 2.6 |
| Otelfingen | 1’282 | 18 | 9 % | 10.4 m | 2.4 |
| Dinhard | 1’261 | 10 | 8 % | 9.9 m | 2.4 |
| Ottenbach | 1’260 | 13 | 43 % | 9.6 m | 2.5 |
| Wildberg | 1’235 | 10 | 7 % | 10.4 m | 2.3 |
| Weiach | 1’218 | 18 | 7 % | 10.4 m | 2.3 |
| Niederglatt | 1’213 | 20 | 69 % | 9.6 m | 2.3 |
| Buch am Irchel | 1’195 | 8 | 7 % | 10.9 m | 2.3 |
| Flaach | 1’190 | 12 | 8 % | 10.2 m | 2.2 |
| Niederweningen | 1’176 | 17 | 56 % | 10.1 m | 2.6 |
| Geroldswil | 1’172 | 17 | 65 % | 9.2 m | 2.4 |
| Feuerthalen | 1’166 | 19 | 69 % | 10.2 m | 2.4 |
| Laufen-Uhwiesen | 1’158 | 13 | 10 % | 9.5 m | 2.2 |
| Schlatt (ZH) | 1’129 | 11 | 7 % | 10.2 m | 2.4 |
| Andelfingen | 1’118 | 10 | 8 % | 10.3 m | - |
| Dällikon | 1’065 | 14 | 33 % | 11.1 m | 2.5 |
| Dachsen | 1’064 | 14 | 58 % | 8.5 m | 2.1 |
| Rifferswil | 1’063 | 8 | 8 % | 11.2 m | 2.4 |
| Henggart | 1’047 | 17 | 58 % | 9.5 m | 2.2 |
| Knonau | 1’027 | 16 | 10 % | 10.6 m | 2.8 |
| Bachenbülach | 1’025 | 20 | 60 % | 10.3 m | 2.6 |
| Oberembrach | 1’019 | 11 | 7 % | 9.8 m | 2.4 |
| Dägerlen | 1’013 | 9 | 8 % | 10.7 m | 2.4 |
| Wasterkingen | 1’011 | 9 | 6 % | 10.2 m | 2.6 |
| Lufingen | 1’008 | 12 | 37 % | 10.2 m | 2.7 |
| Brütten | 990 | 12 | 36 % | 9.7 m | 2.5 |
| Kappel am Albis | 955 | 9 | 8 % | 10.9 m | 2.5 |
| Schwerzenbach | 936 | 20 | 56 % | 9.2 m | 2.7 |
| Hüntwangen | 927 | 16 | 9 % | 9.8 m | 2.0 |
| Unterengstringen | 920 | 20 | 50 % | 9.3 m | 2.4 |
| Höri | 889 | 16 | 44 % | 9.6 m | 2.3 |
| Benken (ZH) | 885 | 10 | 8 % | 9.5 m | 2.2 |
| Thalheim an der Thur | 866 | 13 | 8 % | 10.4 m | 2.3 |
| Bachs | 862 | 10 | 7 % | 10.2 m | 2.2 |
| Rheinau | 858 | 15 | 9 % | 9.1 m | 2.1 |
| Oetwil an der Limmat | 850 | 17 | 9 % | 9.5 m | 2.5 |
| Dorf | 845 | 9 | 7 % | 9.9 m | 2.4 |
| Oberengstringen | 813 | 27 | 72 % | 11.3 m | 2.9 |
| Hochfelden | 811 | 13 | 59 % | 9.9 m | 2.4 |
| Berg am Irchel | 808 | 9 | 7 % | 10.2 m | 2.2 |
| Seegräben | 757 | 19 | 9 % | 9.5 m | 2.4 |
| Aesch (ZH) | 754 | 15 | 9 % | 10.3 m | 2.4 |
| Altikon | 750 | 9 | 8 % | 10.7 m | 2.3 |
| Flurlingen | 748 | 14 | 53 % | 9.5 m | 2.4 |
| Boppelsen | 744 | 9 | 28 % | 10.3 m | 2.6 |
| Ellikon an der Thur | 738 | 8 | 8 % | 9.7 m | 2.1 |
| Greifensee | 724 | 24 | 55 % | 9.5 m | 2.4 |
| Oberweningen | 679 | 12 | 64 % | 9.5 m | 2.3 |
| Dättlikon | 659 | 10 | 9 % | 10.0 m | 2.4 |
| Dänikon | 658 | 16 | 50 % | 10.4 m | 2.5 |
| Schöfflisdorf | 625 | 11 | 61 % | 10.0 m | 2.2 |
| Maschwanden | 616 | 7 | 7 % | 10.7 m | 2.6 |
| Schleinikon | 551 | 9 | 9 % | 10.5 m | 2.4 |
| Truttikon | 550 | 8 | 7 % | 10.6 m | 2.3 |
| Hüttikon | 523 | 7 | 53 % | 10.0 m | 2.6 |
| Volken | 472 | 9 | 7 % | 10.8 m | 2.3 |
| Regensberg | 334 | 6 | 7 % | 13.6 m | 3.5 |
How to read this page
room shows observed built density: what has been built on the parcels, not what the zoning permits. Volume utilization (ratioV) compares the built volume of a parcel with the reference volume of its municipal zone type. The floor-area ratio (GFZ) is floor area divided by parcel area; building height and number of floors are taken from the buildings on a parcel. Figures pool all municipal zones of the area. Medians and quartiles are read from bins 10 points (ratioV), 0.1 (GFZ), 2 m (height) and 1 floor wide, so they are exact to within one bin; means are exact. A parcel counts in a distribution only when the parcel data has a value for it. The floors distribution leaves out parcels without a building (0 floors).