A Small Village with Big Numbers
Hallstatt – a name known around the world, drawing visitors from every corner of the globe. Yet beyond postcard views and Instagram moments, it’s worth taking a closer look at the numbers and facts behind this famous lakeside village.
With an area of just 59.72 square kilometers (23.06 sq mi), Hallstatt may be small in size, but its significance is immense. The village is located in the district of Gmunden, in Upper Austria, nestled within the stunning Salzkammergut region, directly on the shores of Lake Hallstatt.
The population currently stands at 737 residents (as of 2025) – making it a place where tourists often outnumber locals. Hallstatt has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, a title that carries not only prestige but also responsibility: to preserve its historical character, protect the cultural landscape, and maintain a delicate balance between tourism and everyday life.
Every year, around one million visitors come to Hallstatt – with up to 10,000 people a day during the peak season. On social media, the village remains a global sensation, with over 800,000 posts under the hashtag #hallstatt on Instagram.
In this overview, you’ll find the key facts, figures, and curiosities about Hallstatt – from population and tourism statistics to fascinating details about the lake and the ancient salt mine that gave the village its name.
Population – A Village with More Guests than Residents
Today, Hallstatt counts 737 inhabitants (as of 2025). This number has hardly changed over the past decades – yet the village itself has transformed. While it was once home mainly to miners, fishermen, and craftsmen, many locals now make their living from tourism: as hoteliers, souvenir sellers, or taxi drivers.
The population structure is characterized by a relatively high average age. Young families often move to larger cities, as there are few job opportunities outside the tourism industry. Life in a UNESCO World Heritage village also brings certain limitations: historic buildings cannot be easily modernized, and any construction work is subject to strict regulations.
Another factor:
The actual number of full-time residents differs from the official figure. Many apartments are used as holiday rentals or second homes, often standing empty outside the main season. As a result, the number of people who live and work in Hallstatt year-round continues to decline.
Nevertheless – or perhaps because of this – Hallstatt remains a fascinating example of a village balancing tradition and global attention, managing to preserve its authenticity in the midst of worldwide fame.
Tourism – Between Global Fame and Overload
Hallstatt welcomes around one million visitors each year. Especially during the high season, from May to October, the narrow streets can become crowded: on peak days, up to 10,000 people pour into the small lakeside village. Statistically, that means over 1,300 visitors per resident per year – a figure unmatched by almost any other place in Austria.
Most visitors come from Asia – particularly from China, South Korea, and Japan. But Hallstatt also attracts many European guests, especially from Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Tourism, however, is far from evenly distributed throughout the year: during the summer months, the village can feel packed, while the off-season brings a rare sense of calm.
The influx of visitors brings both economic opportunities and major challenges:
Hotels and guesthouses are often fully booked in summer, and many shops and restaurants thrive thanks to the constant flow of tourists.
At the same time, locals struggle with traffic jams, noise, waste, and an overall decline in quality of life.
Parking spaces are limited, and the village’s main roads – especially near the tunnel and access routes – frequently become congested.
Day tourism dominates: many visitors stay only for a few hours, taking photos, buying souvenirs, and leaving again without spending the night in Hallstatt.
The question of how much tourism the village can handle has long been part of everyday life here.
Despite all the challenges, Hallstatt remains a place of longing – a village that continues to captivate people from around the world with its history, lakeside setting, and unique atmosphere.
UNESCO World Heritage – Meaning and Impact
Since December 5, 1997, Hallstatt has officially been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its designation as part of the “Cultural Landscape of Hallstatt–Dachstein/Salzkammergut” recognizes not only the region’s breathtaking beauty but also its unique connection between nature, culture, and history.
This means the village is more than just a picturesque Alpine settlement – it is a place of global significance.
According to UNESCO’s statement of significance:
Hallstatt is an extraordinary example of a cultural tradition that has been preserved and maintained for thousands of years.
The landscape – shaped by steep mountains, Lake Hallstatt, and historical architecture – is of outstanding beauty.
Salt mining has defined the region’s development for millennia; in fact, Hallstatt is home to the oldest continuously operating salt mine in the world.
The UNESCO title is both an honor and a responsibility.
It brings protection, but also strict regulations:
Buildings cannot be freely altered or expanded.
New construction projects must respect the village’s character.
Every architectural change requires approval and must comply with UNESCO guidelines.
For many residents, this status is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a source of pride – Hallstatt belongs to the global family of World Heritage Sites. On the other, some feel like extras in an open-air museum.
The World Heritage title brings visibility, tourism, and economic opportunity — but it also comes with responsibility. Hallstatt must not only be preserved, but kept alive as a living community. Balancing protection with everyday life remains a daily challenge.
Curious Facts & Trivia – Hallstatt in Numbers, Records, and Secrets
Hallstatt is much more than beautiful houses and a picturesque location. Behind the world-famous postcard image lie countless fascinating facts and figures that make this little village truly unique.
Lake Hallstatt – A Natural Gem
Surface area: 8.55 km²
Maximum depth: 125 meters
Average depth: 65 meters
Length: 7.5 kilometers
Width: 1.4 kilometers
Temperature: around 20°C in summer, just above 0°C in winter
Lake Hallstatt is not only stunning to look at – it’s also a vital ecosystem. It provides a habitat for fish and waterfowl and serves as a freshwater reservoir for the surrounding region.
The Hallstatt Salt Mine – The Oldest in the World
The Hallstatt Salt Mine is considered the oldest still-operating salt mine in the world.
Salt has been extracted here for more than 7,000 years – long before the founding of Rome or the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. Today, the mine is still active and can be visited as a show mine, offering an incredible glimpse into history.
The “Fake Hallstatt” in China
In 2012, a replica of Hallstatt was built in the Chinese province of Guangdong, complete with a church, market square, and traditional houses.
The copy was created as a prestige project for a luxury residential area. Locals in Austria were both amused and astonished – some felt flattered, others slightly unsettled by seeing their village duplicated halfway across the world.
More Fascinating Facts
Highest point: Salzberg, approx. 1,030 m above sea level
Oldest recorded resident (historical): 93 years (19th-century records)
Tradition: Every year, Hallstatt celebrates the Corpus Christi procession on the lake, a religious event where decorated boats serve as floating altars.
Inspiration: Hallstatt is said to have inspired the look of the Disney film Frozen – though that remains unconfirmed.
Hallstatt may be small, but the stories and numbers hidden within it are immense. From salt and lakes to legends and replicas, this little Alpine village continues to amaze the world.
Hallstatt: A Village, Many Stories, and Remarkable Numbers
Hallstatt may be small – only 737 people live here – but the numbers and facts that define it tell a much larger story: over one million visitors each year, the oldest salt mine in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage title that brings both prestige and responsibility.
The data reveals one thing clearly:
This village is far more than a pretty postcard view. It’s a place where history meets the present, where the daily life of locals collides with global tourism. Every square meter of Hallstatt carries meaning – from its narrow cobblestone streets to the deep, shimmering waters of Lake Hallstatt.
But numbers are only one side of the story. The other side can’t be measured in statistics: the view of the church glowing in the evening light, the sound of bells echoing across the lake, the rhythm of footsteps on old stone paths – the feeling of life in a village that sometimes seems unsure whether it’s still a village or already a stage.
When you visit Hallstatt, remember this:
Behind every number, there are people. Behind every statistic lies a daily life. And behind every famous photo, there’s a real place – lived in and loved, every single day.
Hallstatt is more than numbers – it’s a village with a soul.
✨ Experience the stories behind the numbers – book your tour to Hallstatt and discover what statistics can’t show: the real life inside the world’s most famous Alpine village.