# Kirchheim

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21282](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21282)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirchheim,_Bas-Rhin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kirchheim-q21282-2

## Summary
Kirchheim is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in France. It is part of the administrative structure of the French Republic and falls under the arrondissement of Molsheim.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Kirchheim is situated in the Bas-Rhin department, within the European Collectivity of Alsace, France.
- **Administrative Classification**: It is a commune of France, one of the smallest administrative divisions in the French territorial organization.
- **Arrondissement**: It belongs to the arrondissement of Molsheim.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.609444444444, Longitude 7.4958333333333.
- **Population**: Ranged between 674 and 719 inhabitants over recent years, with fluctuations including 674 (2014), 685 (2015), 692 (2016), 706 (2017), 712 (2018), 719 (2019), 712 (2020), 704 (2021), 697 (2022), and 692 (2023).
- **Official Website**: [https://www.kirchheim.fr](https://www.kirchheim.fr)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Kirchheim, Bas-Rhin
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 45

## FAQs
**What is Kirchheim?**  
Kirchheim is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of France, part of the Alsace region. It is administratively classified as a municipal subdivision within the French Republic.

**Where is Kirchheim located?**  
Kirchheim is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace in northeastern France. It is specifically within the arrondissement of Molsheim.

**What is the population of Kirchheim?**  
The population of Kirchheim has varied in recent years, ranging from 674 in 2014 to 719 in 2019, with recent estimates showing a population of 692 in 2023.

**What administrative divisions is Kirchheim part of?**  
Kirchheim is part of the commune system of France, located within the arrondissement of Molsheim, the Bas-Rhin department, and the Alsace region.

**What is the official website for Kirchheim?**  
The official website for Kirchheim is [https://www.kirchheim.fr](https://www.kirchheim.fr).

## Why It Matters
Kirchheim represents a local unit of governance within the broader framework of French administrative divisions. As a commune, it plays a role in the decentralized governance structure of France, contributing to local identity, civic engagement, and regional development. Its position in the Alsace region connects it to a rich cultural and historical heritage, including its historical ties to the former German Empire's Unterelsaß district. Kirchheim's local administration manages civic functions, maintains public records, and supports community life within its boundaries.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Position**: Located in the historically significant Alsace region, which was once part of the German Empire's Unterelsaß district.
- **Population Stability**: Maintains a relatively stable population within a small range, indicating a consistent demographic profile.
- **Local Governance**: Functions as a basic unit of French local government, responsible for municipal services and civic administration.
- **Historical Context**: Embedded in a region with a complex history involving shifts between French and German control.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official website, indicating active local governance and public engagement.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Kirchheim is situated in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace in northeastern France. This places it within the historical region of Alsace, which was once part of the German Empire's Unterelsaß district from 1871 to 1918. The commune is located within the arrondissement of Molsheim, a French administrative subdivision established under the modern French system. Its geographic coordinates are latitude 48.609444444444 and longitude 7.4958333333333.

### Administrative Structure
Kirchheim is a commune, the smallest administrative unit in France. Communes are the foundational level of local governance in the French Republic, responsible for managing local affairs, maintaining public records, and delivering municipal services. Kirchheim is part of the arrondissement of Molsheim, which in turn belongs to the Bas-Rhin department. The arrondissement of Molsheim is one of several arrondissements in France, each overseeing multiple communes. The Bas-Rhin department itself was established on March 4, 1790, as part of the post-revolutionary administrative reorganization of France.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Kirchheim has shown minor fluctuations over the past decade. In 2014, the population was recorded as 674, rising to 719 by 2019. Since then, it has slightly declined, with the 2023 figure standing at 692. These figures indicate a relatively stable demographic profile, with no significant population shifts. The commune's population size situates it as a small rural or semi-rural community within the French administrative framework.

### Historical Context
Kirchheim's location in Alsace places it in a region with a complex history. From 1871 to 1918, the area was part of the German Empire's Unterelsaß district, following the Treaty of Frankfurt. This historical context contributes to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region, which has been shaped by both French and German influences. The return of Alsace to France after World War I re-established Kirchheim within the French administrative system, where it remains today.

### Governance and Civic Engagement
As a commune, Kirchheim operates under the broader governance framework of France, which includes departments, regions, and the national government. The commune likely has a mayor and a municipal council responsible for local governance. It maintains an official website ([https://www.kirchheim.fr](https://www.kirchheim.fr)), which serves as a platform for civic communication, local news, and administrative services. This digital presence indicates active engagement with residents and transparency in local governance.

### Related Entities and Administrative Connections
- **France**: Kirchheim is part of the French Republic, a semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administrative structure.
- **Bas-Rhin**: The department in which Kirchheim is located, established in 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Molsheim**: The administrative subdivision overseeing Kirchheim.
- **European Collectivity of Alsace**: The larger regional entity encompassing Bas-Rhin and neighboring departments.
- **Unterelsaß**: The historical district of Alsace-Lorraine under the German Empire, which once included Kirchheim's geographic area.

### Cultural and Regional Identity
Kirchheim's location in Alsace connects it to a region known for its bilingual heritage, architectural charm, and historical significance. The area is characterized by a blend of French and German cultural influences, evident in local dialects, cuisine, and traditions. This cultural identity is part of what makes Kirchheim and its surrounding communes distinct within the broader French landscape.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)