
Linz is a city in Austria with a rich history and cultural significance. Located on the Danube River, it is the capital of Upper Austria and the third-largest city in the country. With a population of over 200,000 people, Linz has played an important role in Austria's economy and is known for its industrial and economic development. The city has a diverse range of industries, including machinery, electrical equipment, and textiles, and is a popular destination for congresses and conferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population of Linz, Austria | 212,538 (as of 1 January 2024) |
| Population of Linz Metropolitan Area | 460,000 |
| Population of Urban Area (including parts of 13 other municipalities) | 271,000 |
| Population in 2006 | 188,407 |
| Population in the 1800s | 16,000-17,000 |
| Population Ranking in Austria | Third-largest city |
| Population Ranking on the Danube River | Seventh-largest city |
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What You'll Learn

Population of Linz in 2024
Linz is the capital of Upper Austria and the third-largest city in the country. It is located on the River Danube in the far north of the country, about 100 miles (160 km) west of Vienna. As of 1 January 2024, the city had a population of 212,538, making it the seventh-largest of all cities on the Danube River.
Linz's population density is 2,142.98 persons per sq. km. The urban area encompasses parts of 13 other municipalities, which have a combined population of 271,000. Linz is also part of the Linz-Wels-Steyr metropolitan area of Upper Austria, which is home to around one-third of the state's population (460,000 people) and is the second-largest urban area in Austria.
Linz has a rich history, dating back to its origins as a Roman fort named Lentia, established in the first century. The name "Linz" was first documented in 799, and the city was mentioned as a fortified city in 1236. It was granted city rights in 1324 and became the provincial capital in the 15th century.
Today, Linz is one of the main economic centres of Austria. It is home to large companies such as Voestalpine, a technology and capital goods group, and has a thriving congress and event industry, with more than 60 venues. The city is also a cultural hub, boasting institutions such as the Johannes Kepler University, schools of art and music, a college-level Academy of Industrial and Art Design, scientific institutes, museums, art galleries, libraries, archives, an opera house, and theatres.
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Population growth since 1800
As of 2024, Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, is the third-most populous city in Austria with a population of around 207,000. However, the population of Linz has fluctuated greatly since the 19th century, with the city experiencing significant growth and decline over the past 200 years.
In the early 1800s, Linz had a modest population of around 20,000 people. At the time, the city was primarily a regional centre known for its steel and textile industries. However, the population began to grow steadily throughout the 19th century, reaching nearly 50,000 by 1900. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the expansion of industry and commerce, as well as the city's increasing role as a cultural and educational centre.
The 20th century brought more dynamic changes to Linz's population. The city experienced rapid growth in the first few decades, with the population nearly doubling to approximately 90,000 by 1934. This boom can be partly explained by the annexation of several neighbouring municipalities, as well as ongoing industrial development. However, World War II caused a significant decline, with the population dropping to around 60,000 by the end of the war in 1945.
Post-war Linz witnessed a remarkable recovery and transformation. The city became a centre for refugee resettlement and experienced a surge in population, surpassing the 100,000 mark by the 1950s. This growth continued, and by the early 1990s, Linz had become Austria's third-largest city with a population of nearly 200,000. This expansion was fuelled by various factors, including the city's thriving economy, its emergence as a cultural hub, and the expansion of the University of Linz.
In recent years, the population growth has stabilised, with the focus shifting towards sustainable development and enhancing the city's livability. Efforts have been made to balance urban expansion with the preservation of green spaces and the improvement of infrastructure. As of 2024, Linz continues to be a dynamic and culturally diverse city, attracting students, professionals, and immigrants from across Austria and the world. The ongoing development projects and the city's reputation as a centre for innovation suggest that Linz will remain an attractive destination, shaping its population dynamics in the years to come.
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Population density
Linz is the third-largest city in Austria, with a population of 212,538 as of 1 January 2024. The population density of Linz is 2,142.98 people per square kilometre.
Linz is the capital of Upper Austria, located on the River Danube in the far north of the country. The city's population has grown significantly since the early 19th century when it had around 16-17,000 inhabitants. By 2006, the population had increased to 188,407.
Linz's urban area includes parts of 13 other municipalities, bringing the total number of inhabitants to 271,000. The city is also part of the Linz-Wels-Steyr metropolitan area, which is home to around one-third of Upper Austria's population, or 460,000 people.
Linz has a long history, dating back to the first century when it was established as a Roman fort named Lentia. The city became an important medieval trading centre and was granted city rights in 1324. Today, Linz is a major economic and cultural hub in Austria, known for its industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as its rich offering of historic buildings, cultural institutions, and green meeting initiatives.
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Population compared to other Austrian cities
As of 1 January 2024, Linz had a population of 212,538, making it the third-largest city in Austria. The city's population has grown over time, with 188,407 people recorded in 2006.
Linz is part of the Linz-Wels-Steyr metropolitan area of Upper Austria, which is home to around 460,000 people and is the second-largest urban area in the country. The metropolitan area includes 13 other municipalities, with a combined population of 271,000.
When compared to other Austrian cities, Linz has a significantly larger population. For instance, Salzburg, a popular tourist destination and the birthplace of Mozart, has a population of 148,420. Innsbruck, another well-known city in Austria renowned for its winter sports offerings and having hosted the Winter Olympics twice, has a smaller population of 126,851.
Vienna, the capital and largest city in Austria, stands out with a population of approximately 1.8 million, increasing to 2.6 million when including the greater metropolitan area. This accounts for nearly one-third of the country's total population. Graz, another key Austrian city, has a population of 273,838, which is slightly higher than that of Linz.
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Population demographics
Linz is the third-largest city in Austria and the capital of Upper Austria. It is located on the river Danube in the far north of the country, 30 km (19 mi) south of the border with the Czech Republic. As of 1 January 2024, the population of Linz was 212,538. The urban area includes parts of 13 other municipalities, with a total of 271,000 inhabitants. Linz is also part of the Linz-Wels-Steyr metropolitan area of Upper Austria, which has a population of around 460,000 people and is the second-largest urban area in Austria.
Linz has a rich history, dating back to the first century when it was established as a Roman fort named Lentia. The name "Linz" was first documented in 799, and the city was mentioned as a fortified city in 1236. It became an important medieval trading centre and was granted city rights in 1324.
The population of Linz has grown over time, with 16,000-17,000 inhabitants around the year 1800 and 188,407 in 2006. The city is known for its economic significance, with major industries including machinery, electrical equipment, textiles, and tourism. It is also a cultural hub, boasting institutions such as the Johannes Kepler University, schools of art and music, and various scientific institutes, museums, and art galleries.
In terms of demographics, Upper Austria, of which Linz is the capital, has a population of around 1.53 million people as of the end of 2023. The majority of Upper Austrians are Christian, with a significant Catholic population. In the last census in 2021, 73.4% of people were Christians, while around 7.4% practised Islam and 17.3% had no religious affiliation. The state has a diverse political landscape, with the conservative Austrian People's Party, the Social Democratic Party of Austria, and the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria all holding influence in different areas.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 1 January 2024, the population of Linz was 212,538.
Linz is the third-largest city in Austria. There is only one city in Austria with a population of over a million people, and nine cities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million. This puts Linz in the top 10 most populous cities in Austria.
The Linz-Wels-Steyr metropolitan area of Upper Austria is home to around one-third of the state's population, or 460,000 people.
No, the population of Linz has grown over time. In the early 19th century, the population was around 16-17,000. By 2006, the population had grown to 188,407.
























