City Profile: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Gelsenkirchen is a city in Germany’s Ruhr region with an estimated population between 263,000 and 267,000 residents based on data from 2022 to 2024. Like many cities in the Ruhr area, Gelsenkirchen has undergone decades of economic transition following the decline of heavy industry.
The city faces persistent structural challenges, including elevated unemployment and lower-than-average household incomes. It also has a diverse population, with approximately 24 percent of residents holding foreign citizenship and up to 36 percent having a broader migration background.
Demographically, Gelsenkirchen combines a relatively young population with a growing share of older residents, supported by municipal planning initiatives such as the “Ageing Well in Gelsenkirchen 2035” program.
Demographic Overview (2022–2024)
- Population: Approximately 263,000 to 267,000
- Population Density: Around 2,500 inhabitants per square kilometer
- Migration Background: About 24 percent foreign nationals, up to 36 percent including migration background
- Age Distribution:
- Under 16: Approximately 16.9 percent
- Ages 18–24: Approximately 7.7 percent
- Ages 35–59: Approximately 32.7 percent
- Ages 60 and over: Approximately 27.7 percent
Socio-Economic Conditions
Gelsenkirchen continues to rank among Germany’s most economically challenged cities:
- Unemployment Rate: Approximately 15 percent
- Average Annual Income: About €16,203, the lowest among major German cities
These conditions reflect long-term structural changes rather than short-term economic shocks.
Bank Vault Heist at Sparkasse Branch
German authorities are investigating a major bank vault burglary in Gelsenkirchen, where thieves stole property valued at tens of millions of euros from safety deposit boxes during a holiday period.
The affected institution, part of the Sparkasse banking group, confirmed that approximately 2,700 customers were impacted by the theft.
Estimated Losses and Scale of the Crime
Police spokesperson Thomas Nowaczyk stated that investigators estimate the value of the stolen items to be between €10 million and €90 million, equivalent to roughly $11.7 million to $105.7 million USD.
According to the German news agency dpa, the incident may rank among the largest bank vault thefts in Germany’s modern history.
The affected branch remained closed the day after the discovery, as authorities secured the site and assessed the damage. Reports indicated that around 200 customers arrived seeking access to their safety deposit boxes.
Method of Entry and Evidence
Emergency services were alerted shortly before 4 a.m. on Monday after a fire alarm was triggered at the bank branch. Upon arrival, police and firefighters discovered a hole drilled through a basement wall leading into the vault area, which had been thoroughly ransacked.
Investigators believe the suspects used heavy industrial drilling equipment to breach the vault. Witnesses reported seeing several individuals carrying large bags in a nearby parking garage over the weekend.
Police also confirmed the existence of video footage showing masked individuals inside a stolen vehicle in the early hours of Monday morning.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify the perpetrators and determine the full scope of the losses. The case has renewed attention on bank security standards and the challenges of protecting high-value assets in urban environments undergoing economic stress.