Wels Population 2026
Wels has a population of 16,857, making it the #21 biggest city in 🇦🇹 Austria, located in Upper Austria. Roughly 0.2% of Austria's population lives here. It is about 100× smaller than Vienna, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
16,857
Rank in Austria
#21
Coordinates
48.17°N, 14.03°E
~317 m elevation · Europe/Vienna
Distance to capital (Vienna)
173 km
107 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Upper Austria
Cities near Wels
FAQ
What is the population of Wels?
Wels has a population of 16,857 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #21 biggest city in Austria.
What region is Wels in?
Wels is located in Upper Austria, Austria.
Is Wels the capital of Austria?
No, the capital of Austria is Vienna, about 173 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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