Living in Zele: a portrait
Zele is a municipality in Flandre orientale in Flanders, with 21,501 residents spread across 28.6 km2. The population is experiencing moderate growth.
Check out property prices in Zele to estimate your budget.
Urban profile
Zele is a medium-sized city with comprehensive urban services, good transport connectivity, and varied neighbourhoods. It offers hospitals, shopping centres, cultural and sporting facilities, and a diversified job market. This intermediate size provides the best compromise between urban dynamism and quality of life.
Settling in Flanders
Flanders, the economically dynamic region in northern Belgium, benefits from reduced registration fees of just 3%, a significant fiscal advantage for buyers. The region stands out for its strong economic fabric, quality infrastructure, and robust job market. Flemish culture values quality of life, cycling as a mode of transport, and well-maintained public spaces. The Flemish property market is generally more expensive than Wallonia but offers high liquidity.
Getting around Zele
Zele scores 70/100 for public transport. The walkability score is 69/100. The municipality is well-served by public transport.
Schools and services
The schools score is 78/100. Accessibility to shops and services reaches 72/100.
Green spaces and quality of life
With a green score of 56/100, Zele has satisfactory green spaces.
Safety
The crime rate is around the national average, with 68.1 offences per 1,000 residents. Safety score: 20/100.
Cost of living
The median declarable income in Zele is EUR 29,701 per year. The median house purchase price is EUR 371,832, or EUR 2,656 per sqm.
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Daily life in Zele
The ratio between the median house price and median income is 12.5x. This high ratio reflects tension between property prices and local incomes. Access to shops and services (72/100) makes daily life convenient without excessive travel. Use our notary fees calculator to plan your move.
Family life
With 20.1 % of residents under 17, Zele has a distinctly family-oriented profile. The school access score of 78/100 reflects a quality educational offering. The average household size (6.09 persons) confirms the presence of many families.
Population profile
- 0-17 years: 20.1 %
- 18-34 years: 20.4 %
- 35-64 years: 39.5 %
- 65+ years: 20.0 %
- Foreign residents: 10.9 %
- Households: 3,531
- Average household size: 6.09
Neighboring municipalities
- Aalter — 21,400 residents, overall score 67/100
- Denderleeuw — 21,056 residents, overall score 51/100
- Erpe-Mere — 21,013 residents, overall score 66/100
- Eeklo — 22,401 residents, overall score 70/100
- Sint-Gillis-Waas — 20,144 residents, overall score 45/100
Is Zele a good municipality for families?
With a schools score of 78/100 and a green score of 56/100, Zele offers an environment that should be evaluated based on your family priorities.
What is the overall score of Zele?
Zele has an overall score of 72/100, combining transport, schools, shops, green spaces, and safety.
What is the cost of living in Zele?
The median income is EUR 29,701 per year and the median house price is EUR 371,832. The price-to-income ratio of 12.5x should be factored into your planning.
What is public transport like in Zele?
The transport score is 70/100 and walkability is 69/100. A good network facilitates daily commuting.