Obersteckholz

Obersteckholz is a former municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Following the 1798 French invasion it became part of the district of Langenthal under the Helvetic Republic.

[4] During the 18th and 19th century, small cottage industries such as linen weaving and straw plaiting began to supplement agriculture in the local economy.

Today there are several small businesses in the village but about 71% of the working adults commute to jobs outside the municipality.

[6] The former municipality consists of the village of Obersteckholz and the hamlets of Habkerig, Kleben, Wald, Herrengasse and Hübeli as well as scattered farm houses.

[7] The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Argent a Fir Tree Vert fructed and trunked Gules growing from a Mount of the last.

The historical population is given in the following chart:[4][13] In the 2011 federal election the most popular party was the SVP which received 53.3% of the vote.

In the federal election, a total of 198 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 58.1%.

In the tertiary sector; 1 was in the sale or repair of motor vehicles, 6 were in the movement and storage of goods, 1 was a technical professional or scientist, 3 were in education.

[10] From the 2000 census[update], 34 or 8.5% were Roman Catholic, while 324 or 81.4% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

This is followed by three years of obligatory lower Secondary school where the students are separated according to ability and aptitude.

Following the lower Secondary students may attend additional schooling or they may enter an apprenticeship.

[17] During the 2009–10 school year, there were a total of 48 students attending classes in Obersteckholz.

View of Obersteckholz village and surrounding hills
Obersteckholz village