View source for Wolfsburg

{{Short description|Fifth-largest city in the German state of Lower Saxony}}
{{Other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2011}}
{{Use Oxford spelling |date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates |date=November 2024}}

{{Infobox German place 
|type              = City
|German_name = <small>''Wulfsborg'' ([[Eastphalian language|Eastphalian]])</small>
|image_coa         = DEU Wolfsburg COA.svg
|image_flag        = Flagge Wolfsburg.svg
|image_photo       = Wolfsburgskyline2-2.jpg
|imagesize         = 300
|image_caption     = Skyline of Wolfsburg at dusk
|coordinates       = {{coord|52|25|23|N|10|47|14|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|image_plan        = Lower Saxony WOB.svg
|plantext          = Location of Wolfsburg in Lower Saxony
|state             = Niedersachsen
|district          = urban
|elevation         = 63
|area              = 204.02
|postal_code       = 38400–38448
|area_code         = 05361, 05362, 05363, 05365, 05366, 05367, 05308
|licence           = WOB
|Gemeindeschlüssel = 03 1 03 000
|divisions         = 16 [[Ortschaft]]en,<br />40 [[Stadtteil]]e
|website           = [http://www.wolfsburg.de www.Wolfsburg.de]
|mayor             = Dennis Weilmann<ref name=mayor>{{cite web|url=https://wahlen.statistik.niedersachsen.de/SW2021/reports/DW/DW_Uebersicht.pdf|title=Stichwahlen zu Direktwahlen in Niedersachsen vom 26. September 2021|date=13 October 2021|publisher=[[Landesamt für Statistik Niedersachsen]]}}</ref>
|leader_term       = 2021&ndash;26 
|Bürgermeistertitel = Lord Mayor
|party             = CDU
}}
'''Wolfsburg''' ({{IPA|de|ˈvɔlfsbʊʁk|lang|De-Wolfsburg.ogg}}; [[Eastphalian language|Eastphalian]]: ''Wulfsborg'') is the fifth-largest city in the [[Germany|German]] state of [[Lower Saxony]], on the river [[Aller (Germany)|Aller]] {{convert|75|km|0}} east of [[Hanover]] and {{convert|230|km|0}} west of [[Berlin]].

Wolfsburg is famous as the location of [[Volkswagen AG]]'s headquarters and, until it was overtaken by [[Gigafactory Texas|Tesla Gigafactory Texas]] in 2022, [[Wolfsburg Volkswagen Plant|the world's biggest car plant]]. The [[Autostadt]] is a visitor attraction next to the Volkswagen factory that features the company's model range: [[Audi AG|Audi]], [[Bentley Motors|Bentley]], [[Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.|Bugatti]], [[Ducati]], [[Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.|Lamborghini]], [[MAN SE|MAN]], [[Neoplan]], [[Porsche AG|Porsche]], [[Scania AB|Scania]], [[SEAT, S.A.|SEAT]], [[Škoda Auto]] and [[Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles]]. Wolfsburg is one of the few German cities built during the first half of the 20th century as a [[planned community|planned city]]. From its founding on 1 July 1938 as a [[company town|home for workers]] producing the [[Strength Through Joy|KdF]]-[[VW Beetle|Wagen]] until 25 May 1945, the city was called '''Stadt des KdF-Wagens bei Fallersleben'''. In 1972, the population first exceeded 100,000. In 2019, the GRP was €188,453 per capita.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kreise mit höchstem Bruttoinlandsprodukt je Einwohner |url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/1186514/umfrage/top-kreise-bruttoinlandsprodukt-je-einwohner/ |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=Statista |language=de}}</ref>

==History==
The [[Wolfsburg Castle|"Wolfsburg" Castle]] was first mentioned in 1302 in a document as the domicile of the noble lineage of [[Bartensleben]]. Originally a keep next to the Aller, it was protected by a [[moat]] some centuries later. In 1372, the first documentary reference to the ''Burg Neuhaus'' ("castle of Neuhaus") near Wolfsburg appeared. After the extinction of the Bartensleben line in 1742, the property and its ''Schloss Wolfsburg'' (Wolfsburg castle) passed on to the Counts of Schulenburg. The communal manor was an important employer for the nearby settlements ''Rothenfelde'' and ''Heßlingen''.

Some of today's urban districts, including ''Vorsfelde'' and the villages transferred to Wolfsburg from the county of [[Helmstedt]], belonged to the [[Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel]]. ''Fallersleben'' and other villages belonged to the Electorate of Braunschweig-Lüneburg, which later developed into the [[Kingdom of Hanover]] and became a [[Prussia]]n province in 1866. Other urban districts, including ''Heßlingen'', belonged to the Prussian [[Duchy of Magdeburg]]. In 1932, these districts were detached from the Prussian [[Province of Saxony]] and integrated into the [[Province of Hanover]].

Wolfsburg was founded on 1 July 1938 as the ''Stadt des KdF-Wagens bei Fallersleben,'' (''"''City of the [[Strength Through Joy]] car at [[Fallersleben]]), a planned town centred around the village of Fallersleben, built to house workers of the [[Volkswagen]] factories erected to assemble what would be later known as the [[Volkswagen Beetle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=City history |url=https://www.wolfsburg.de/en-us/leben/stadtportraitstadtgeschichte/stadtgeschichte |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.wolfsburg.de |language=de}}</ref> During World War II, military cars, aeroplanes, and other military equipment were built there, mainly by [[forced labour in Germany during World War II|forced workers]] and [[prisoners-of-war]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1937 to 1945 – Founding of the Company and Integration into the War Economy |url=https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/volkswagen-chronicle-17351/1937-to-1945-founding-of-the-company-and-integration-into-the-war-economy-17354#1937 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Volkswagen Group |language=en}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} In 1942, German authorities established the [[Arbeitsdorf concentration camp]] in the city for a few months. At least six individuals died while working at this camp.

The city and Volkswagen factory were captured on 11 April 1945, by US troops, and about 7,700 [[forced labour]]ers were liberated from the Volkswagen factory. The US troops occupied the city until the end of June, during which time the city was renamed '''Wolfsburg''' on 25 May 1945, after the eponymous castle located there. The American occupation ended at the end of June 1945 when the region became part of the [[British Occupation zone in Germany|British occupation zone]]. In 1951, Wolfsburg was separated from the District of Gifhorn, and became an [[list of German urban districts|urban district]].

In 1955, the one-millionth VW Beetle was manufactured in Wolfsburg. Postwar Beetle production ended in Wolfsburg in 1974, though Beetle production continued within Germany at [[Emden]] until 1978. The factories in Wolfsburg remain a key part of Volkswagen's production capacity.

During the [[German economic miracle]] Wolfsburg experienced a large influx of immigrant workers, especially from Italy.

In 1958, the city hall was built. In 1960 the Volkswagenwerk [[GmbH]] (limited partnership with a limited liability) was changed into an [[Aktiengesellschaft|AG]] (public limited company).

In the course of a land reform in Lower Saxony in 1972, 20 localities were added to the city through the "Wolfsburg-Act". Wolfsburg gained the status of major city with nearly 131,000 inhabitants. The city's area grew from 35 to nearly {{Convert|204|km2|abbr=on}}. In 1973, the city's population peaked at 131,971.

In 1982, the A39, a side road of the [[Bundesautobahn 2|A2]] (Oberhausen - Hannover - Werder), was built as a direct freeway to Wolfsburg.

In 1988, the city became a university town with the establishment of the University of Applied Science Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel. Today its name is [[Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences]].

As a launch promotion for the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk5|5th generation]] of the [[Volkswagen Golf]] the city of Wolfsburg welcomed visitors on the internet, on the official stationery, and on every city limit sign with the name "'''Golfsburg'''" from 25 August to 10 October 2003. This campaign gained the nationwide attention of press, radio, and TV broadcasting.

In the summer of 2009, Wolfsburg gained nationwide attention when their football team, [[VfL Wolfsburg]], won the German football league.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fußballmärchen in Grün-Weiß |url=https://www.vfl-wolfsburg.de/der-vfl/geschichte/chronik/2000-bis-2009/fussballmaerchen-in-gruen-weiss |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=VfL Wolfsburg |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bundesliga Final – DW – 05/24/2009 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/wolfsburg-wins-first-german-soccer-title/a-4275733 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> A party was held in the city centre with about 100,000 people, the first in the history of the city.

==Geography==
Wolfsburg is located at the Southern edge of the ancient river valley of the [[Aller (Germany)|Aller]] at the ''[[Mittellandkanal]]'' ({{lit |middle land canal}}). It is bordered by the districts of [[Gifhorn (district)|Gifhorn]] and [[Helmstedt (district)|Helmstedt]].

===Climate===
The total annual precipitation is about {{convert|532|mm|0}} which is quite low as it belongs to the lowest tenth of the measured data in Germany. Only 7% of all observation stations of the ''[[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]'' (German weather service) record lower measurements. The warmest month is July and the driest month is April, while the wettest are July and August.

{{Weather box
|location = Wolfsburg (1991-2020)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
| precipitation colour    = green
| Jan mean C  =1.7
| Feb mean C  =2.3
| Mar mean C  =5.3
| Apr mean C  =9.8
| May mean C  =14.0
| Jun mean C  =17.1
| Jul mean C  =19.1
| Aug mean C  =18.8
| Sep mean C  =14.6
| Oct mean C  =10.0
| Nov mean C  =5.6
| Dec mean C  =2.6
| year mean C =

| Jan precipitation mm  =50.2
| Feb precipitation mm  =38.3
| Mar precipitation mm  =40.7
| Apr precipitation mm  =34.7
| May precipitation mm  =50.8
| Jun precipitation mm  =51.5
| Jul precipitation mm  =67.0
| Aug precipitation mm  =62.1
| Sep precipitation mm  =49.5
| Oct precipitation mm  =45.4
| Nov precipitation mm  =45.0
| Dec precipitation mm  =48.5
| year precipitation mm =

|Jan sun = 48
|Feb sun = 70.6
|Mar sun = 120.5
|Apr sun = 183.7
|May sun = 217.8
|Jun sun = 222.4
|Jul sun = 223.1
|Aug sun = 207.7
|Sep sun = 154.8
|Oct sun = 109.1
|Nov sun = 49.6
|Dec sun = 37
|year sun = 1644.3
|source 1 = ''[[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lufttemperatur: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020 |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/temp_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |website=dwd.de |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |access-date=23 February 2024|no-pp=y |language=German |trans-title=Air Temperature: Long-term averages for 1991-2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/nieder_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |title=Niederschlag: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020 |access-date=23 February 2024|website=dwd.de |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |no-pp=y |language=German |trans-title=Precipitation: Long-term averages for 1991-2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/sonne_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |title=Sonnenscheindauer: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020 |website=dwd.de |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |access-date=23 February 2024 |no-pp=y |language=German |trans-title=Sunshine: Long-term averages for 1991-2020 }}</ref>
}}

==Culture and attractions==
[[File:Schloß Wolfsburg 2016-1.jpg|thumb|Wolfsburg Castle]]
[[File:Autostadt, Wolfsburg Gelände.jpg|thumb|The [[Autostadt]]]]
[[File:111223 VW Kraftwerk WOB.jpg|thumb|The illuminated Volkswagen power plant at night]]
The centre of Wolfsburg is unique in Germany. Instead of a medieval city centre, Wolfsburg features a new and modern attraction called the [[Autostadt]]. The old part of the city [[Alt Wolfsburg]] [[:de:Alt-Wolfsburg|(de)]] shows some manor buildings in traditional framework style. Atop a hill by the [[Aller (Germany)|River Aller]] is the [[Wolfsburg Castle]].

The Autostadt is an open-air museum-theme park dedicated to [[automobile]]s owned and operated by Volkswagen. In the center of the park are the pavilions featuring Volkswagen's major brands: Volkswagen and Audi to the north, further south are SEAT, [[Škoda Auto]], Lamborghini, Bentley, [[Bugatti]], and the Premium Clubhouse. Right next to the lagoon is the [[Porsche]] pavilion. The striking Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles pavilion is in the south-east of the park.
The Autostadt also includes a [[planetarium]], a [[Ritz-Carlton]] hotel, the [[Phaeno Science Center]], the largest hands-on science museum in Germany, a water skiing resort, and a private art museum (''[[Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg]]'') specialising in modern and contemporary art.

Another major attraction is the Wolfsburg Water Show, the world's largest water-flame-laser-video fountain show with its up to 70-meter high fountains which was in the Autostadt complex in 2014. The event sometimes can be seen when there are special events in the complex.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.niedersachsen-tourism.com/wassershow-wolfsburg |access-date=29 September 2014|title=Water show Wolfsburg: A truly unique experience is provided by the world's largest mobile water-fountain show with its up to 70 meter high fountains. The show is being staged every night for a period of four weeks. Visitors can prepare themselves for an unforgettable spectacle. Every year, the show is themed and staged differently, and accompanied by a lavish play of colours and a laser show.}}</ref>

Besides the Autostadt, another well-known and distinctive attraction is BadeLand, a beautiful wellness and relaxation centre with a bathing area and various saunas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Das Badeland Wolfsburg - Baden und Saunieren in Wolfsburg|url=https://www.badeland-wolfsburg.de/|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Badeland Wolfsburg|language=de-DE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=E|first=Allison|date=2022-01-14|title=Top 8 Places to Visit in Wolfsburg, Germany|url=https://www.whatsdalatest.com/top-places-to-visit-in-wolfsburg/|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Whatsdalatest|language=en-US}}</ref>
===Air transport===
The city is served by [[Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport]]. However, the airport does not operated scheduled public passenger or cargo services. The nearest passenger airport is [[Hannover Airport]], which is located {{convert|90|km|0|abbr=on}} north west of Wolfsburg.

==Population==
From about 1,000 inhabitants in 1938, the population of the city increased to 25,000 in 1950 and doubled to 50,000 until 1958. On 1 July 1972, the population of Wolfsburg first went beyond the mark of 100,000 because several adjacent suburbanized villages were incorporated into the city with the "Wolfsburg law" which made Wolfsburg a major city ("Großstadt"). In 1973, the population reached its highest level: 131,971. At the end of December 2010, 121,451 people were registered with their principal residence in Wolfsburg.

===Braunschweig-Salgitter-Wolfsburg Area===

The three cities form a [[Oberzentren]] and a sub-metropolitan area. The area is primarily dependent on the [[Steel]], [[Automotive]] and [[R&D]] industries. The population of the area is a over 1 million (1,014,477) as of 2023. The three main cities have a total population of 512,600, where over half the population lives. The area has 40.6% of the population with a migration background and is aiming to progressively increase the foreign population in the upcoming years. The area contributes highly to the economy of the country especially due to Volkswagen, Siemens, Salzgitter AG and other companies. The area has one of the highest GDP per Capita in the whole of Europe with Wolfsburg having the highest in the whole country and Braunschweig having one of the highest. Though the area faced a debt, mass amount destruction, a population decrtafter [[World War 2]], the area strived back due to high demand of car manufacturing and need for research and development.
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Einwohnerzahlen deutscher Metropolregionen 2023{{!}} Statista | url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/1176016/umfrage/einwohnerzahlen-der-deutschen-metropolregionen/ | access-date=2025-08-17 | website=de.statista.com}}</ref>

===Urban Agglomeration===

The [[Urban Agglomeration]] of Wolfsburg has 217,433 people with an area of 775 km2 and has a high proportion of people from other countries. Majority of the population in the agglomeration live in the City and in the town [[Gifhorn]].

==Immigration==

Wolfsburg is cosmopolitan and recognized as a highly diverse city with people from over 150 nations residing there. By the end of 2012, this number had climbed to 123,144 and by 2030 the population is projected to be around 135,000 with around 50% of the population having a foreign background. 44.0% of Wolfsburg had a migration background in the year 2024 making it the second highest percentage of people with a foreign background in [[Lower Saxony]] after [[Salzgitter]].

The largest [[Italians in Germany|Italian]] community in Lower Saxony is in Wolfsburg and the city also has one of the largest [[Tunisian Diaspora|Tunisian]], Cameroonian and [[Mexicans in Germany|Mexican]] communities in Germany.  
The parts of the city having the highest shares are {{ill|Westhagen|de}} (71.2%), {{ill|Rothenfelde (Wolfsburg)|lt=Rothenfelde|de}} (64.6%), {{ill|Stadtmitte (Wolfsburg)|lt=Stadtmitte|de}} (59.4%), {{ill|Heßlingen (Wolfsburg)|lt=Heßlingen|de}} (55.5%), {{ill|Hohenstein (Wolfsburg)|lt=Hohenstein|de}} (51.2%), {{ill|Köhlerberg (Wolfsburg)|lt=Köhlerberg|de}} (51.2%), and {{ill|Schillerteich|de}} (51.0%).<ref>{{Cite web| title=Bevölkerungsbericht Stadt Wolfsburg | language=de | trans-title=Population report for the city of Wolfsburg | url=https://www.presse-service.de/data.aspx/medien/240340P.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172950/https://www.presse-service.de/data.aspx/medien/240340P.pdf | archive-date=2022-09-20}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#efefef;"|Rank
! style="background:#efefef;"|Nationality
! style="background:#efefef;"|Population (31 December 2023)
|-
|1||{{flag|Italy}}|| 5,822
|-
|2||{{flag|Ukraine}}|| 2,131
|-
|3||{{flag|Poland}}|| 2,029
|-
|4||{{flag|India}}|| 1,400
|-
|5||{{flag|Turkey}}|| 1,001
|-
|6||{{flag|Afghanistan}}|| 876
|-
|7||{{flag|Tunisia}}|| 822
|-
|8||{{flag|iran}}|| 589
|-
|9||{{flag|Kosovo}}|| 522
|-
|10||{{flag|Cameroon}}|| 518
|-
|11||{{flag|China}}|| 460
|-
|12||{{flag|Serbia}}||320
|-
|13||{{flag|Mexico}}||283
|-
|14||{{flag|Spain}}||261
|-
|15||{{flag|Vietnam}}||246
|-
|} <ref>{{Cite web| title=Bevölkerungsbericht Stadt Wolfsburg 2023 | language=de | trans-title=Population report for the city of Wolfsburg 2023 | url=https://statistik.stadt.wolfsburg.de/Informationsportal_15/Upload/Veroeffentlichungen/PDF/StadtWolfsburg_Bevoelkerungsbericht2023.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202165650/https://statistik.stadt.wolfsburg.de/Informationsportal_15/Upload/Veroeffentlichungen/PDF/StadtWolfsburg_Bevoelkerungsbericht2023.pdf | archive-date=2023-02-02}}</ref><ref>StadtWolfsburg_Bevoelkerungsbericht2025.pdf</ref>

==Organization==
The city of Wolfsburg is organized into 41 districts. One or more districts make up one of the total of 16 localities which are represented by their own councils. Every council has a local official as its mayor.

First the councils were only established in the 11 localities annexed in 1972. They partly took over the functions of the former city councils of each of the districts. In 1991 and 2001 some of the localities were split into smaller areas so that today there are 16 localities, each with its own council which are directly elected by the citizens.

The only exception from this organization is the [[Allerpark]] (''Aller Park''), a local recreation area surrounding the [[Allersee]] lake, and the area of the Volkswagen factory which are both located in the central city area.

The administrative area of Wolfsburg includes six [[nature reserve]]s. Five of them are located in the ancient Aller river valley.

==Politics==
[[File:Rathaus Wolfsburg.jpg|thumb|The city hall]]
The first mayor of the young Stadt des KdF-Wagens was the government assessor Karl Bock, on enactment #145 of the chief president of the government of [[Lüneburg]] effective from 1 July 1938. His allies were also deployed by the government.

In 1946, the military government of the British zone of occupation established a communal constitution following the British example. After this, citizens voted for a council that elected a volunteer mayor/lord mayor as the city's leader and representative. After 1946, the council elected a full-time director to lead the city council. In 2001, the city council's dual leadership was abolished. It is led by a full-time lord mayor who is also the city's representative. Since 2001, citizens directly elect the lord mayor. The council still has its own chairperson elected by the council's constitutive conference after every local election. The current Bürgermeister (mayor) of Wolfsburg is Dennis Weilmann.

The city has been described as a "social democratic utopia".<ref name="veconomist" >{{cite news|author=J.C.|title=How to keep populists small and marginal|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/kaffeeklatsch/2017/10/parable-lower-saxony|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=15 October 2017}}</ref>

===City council===
The city council is made up of the fractions of the different parties (47 seats) and the lord mayor with one seat. The lord mayor is head of administration, thus the superior of all employees of the city council. The lord mayor is supported by four departmental heads who are voted in by the council on his suggestion. Together, they make up the board of directors of the city administration where the most important decisions concerning administration are deliberated weekly.

Results of the local elections on 11 September 2011:<ref>{{cite journal |title=Bekanntmachung gemäß § 39 des Niedersächsischen Kommunalwahlgesetzes (NKWG) i. V. mit § 66 Abs. 6 der Niedersächsischen Kommunalwahlordnung (NKWO) über das Ergebnis der Wahl am 11.09.2011 zum Rat der Stadt Wolfsburg |journal=Amtsblatt |date=2011-09-26 |volume=7 |number=37 |publisher=Oberbürgermeister der Stadt Wolfsburg |location=Wolfsburg |language=de |url=http://www.wolfsburg.de/irj/go/km/docs/imperia/mam/portal/grundstuecks_und_gebaeudemanagement/pdf/amtsblaetter/amtsblatt_nr_37_26_09_2011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207214356/http://www.wolfsburg.de/irj/go/km/docs/imperia/mam/portal/grundstuecks_und_gebaeudemanagement/pdf/amtsblaetter/amtsblatt_nr_37_26_09_2011.pdf |archive-date=2013-02-07 |access-date=2024-11-14 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Party || Seats || Votes (%) || Votes
|- 
| [[Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands|SPD]] || 17 || 37.7% || 53.355
|-
| [[Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands|CDU]] || 14 || 31.6% || 44.635
|-
| Parteipolitisch Unabhängige Gemeinschaft|PUG || 5 || 11.9% || 16.769
|-
| [[Bündnis 90/Die Grünen]] || 5 || 9.9% || 14.026
|-
| [[Pirate Party Germany|PIRATEN]] || 2 || 3.9% || 5.528
|-
| [[Freie Demokratische Partei|FDP]] || 1 || 2.4% || 3.326
|-
| [[The Left (Germany)|Wolfsburger Linke]] || 1 || 1.5% || 2.106
|-
| Wählergemeinschaft Team Zukunft Wolfsburg|WTZ || 1 || 1.2% || 1.673
|}

Voter participations: 49.4%

===Emblems===
Wolfsburg's emblem shows a silver two-tower castle with a closed gate on red ground over a green base with silver waved timbers. A golden wolf with a blue tongue paces over the castle's battlement. The city's flag is green and white.

Lower Saxony's Department of the Interior awarded the city of Wolfsburg's emblem in 1952 after it had been constituted in the association articles in 1947. In 1961, it was improved heraldically and newly awarded by the governmental executive committee of Lüneburg. The symbols of the wolf and the castle reflect the city's name (canting arm) and do not have a historical, directly conveyed reference. The flag was adopted in 1955.

Volkswagen used a modified version of the Wolfsburg coat of arms as its steering wheel emblem, (and occasionally as a hood ornament, on classic Beetles) until the early 1980s, when it was replaced by the VW roundel.

===Regional authorities===
The city of Wolfsburg is a member of the association ''Braunschweigische Landschaft e.V'', with a registered office in Braunschweig and in the ''Lüneburgischen Landschaftsverband e.V'', with a registered office in [[Uelzen]]. These associations were founded to foster cultural establishments in the regions.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

==Architecture==
[[File:Library Wolfsburg Alvar Aalto photo by Christian Gänshirt.jpg|thumb|[[Alvar Aalto Cultural Centre]] (1958–62)]]
[[File:Heilig Geist Kirche Wolfsburg Alvar Aalto 1958 62 photo by Christian Gänshirt.JPG|thumb|Church of the Holy Spirit, [[Alvar Aalto]] (1958–62)]]

===Historical castles===
* The [[Wolfsburg Castle|Schloss Wolfsburg]] (castle of Wolfsburg), a Weser renaissance castle of the 13th century, was first documented as the domicile of the noble lineage of Bartensleben in 1302. As the city is named after this castle, it is Wolfsburg's landmark.
* The [[Burg Neuhaus (Wolfsburg)|Burg Neuhaus]] (castle of Neuhaus) is a medieval moat from the 14th century which has been owned by the city government since 1981.
* The [[Schloss Fallersleben]] (castle of Fallersleben) was completed in 1551. Since 1991 it has housed the Hoffmann-von-Fallersleben-Museum.

===Museums===
* The '''''Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg''''' (Art museum Wolfsburg) is internationally renowned and has shown contemporary and modern international art since 1994.
* The '''Städtische Galerie''' (Municipal Gallery), located in the Schloss Wolfsburg, shows multifarious pieces of contemporary art.
* The '''AutoMuseum Volkswagen''' was opened in an old textile factory in Heßlingen in 1985.
* The '''Stadtmuseum Wolfsburg''' ''(City Museum'') is a modern museum with an exhibition about the history of the castle, the region and the city. It is located inside the castle of Wolfsburg.
* The '''Hoffmann-von-Fallersleben-Museum''' in the castle of [[Fallersleben]] shows the history of German poetry and democracy, especially focused on the life of Hoffmann von Fallersleben between 1798 and 1874.
* The '''Heinrich-Büssing-Haus''' in '''Nordsteimke''' was opened on the initiative of the MAN-group in the house of Büssing's birth in 1988. It shows the life of Büssing and the development from craft to industry.
* The [[Burg Neuhaus (Wolfsburg)|Burg Neuhaus]] (castle of Neuhaus) is a moat showing an exhibition of models of the castle and the water mill, late medieval weapons and documents concerning the life of people of the time before 1800.
* The [[Autostadt]] is, after Disneyland Paris, the most visited theme park in Europe. {{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The theme is (auto) mobility.
* The Phæno is a science center with 250 experiment stations on an exhibition space of nearly 6,000 square meters. The unique architecture was designed by [[Zaha Hadid]].
* The '''Romantikpark Landleben''' (theme park Romantik Park Landleben) in Kästorf shows a historical Lower Saxon village combined with parks and restaurants.

===Alvar Aalto designs===
*''Heilig Geist Kirche'' or [[Church of the Holy Spirit, Wolfsburg|Church of the Holy Spirit]]
*''[[Stephanuskirche (Wolfsburg)|Stephanuskirche]]'' or the Church of St. Stephen, also known as Detmerode Church
*''Alvar-Aalto-Kulturhaus'' or [[Alvar Aalto Cultural Centre]]

==Sport==
[[File:Wolfsburg stadion.jpg|thumb|The [[Volkswagen Arena]]]]
The most famous professional sports club in the city is [[VfL Wolfsburg]], established in 1945. The men's football team won the [[Bundesliga]] in 2009, the [[DFB-Pokal]] in 2015 and the [[DFL-Supercup]] in 2015. The [[VfL Wolfsburg (women)|women's football team]] has been even more successful, winning six Bundesliga titles and seven [[DFB-Pokal (women)|DFB-Pokal]] titles. The women's team has also succeeded in winning the [[UEFA Women's Champions League]] in two consecutive years, 2013 and 2014.

Wolfsburg is also the home of the ice hockey team [[Grizzlys Wolfsburg]], which since 2007 has made it to a leading position in the first-tier [[Deutsche Eishockey Liga]], where it was runner-up in 2011, 2016 and 2017.

Also based in city is the tennis tournament [[Volkswagen Challenger]], which has been held annually in Wolfsburg since 1993.

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany}}
Wolfsburg is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref name=twins>{{cite web |title=Städtepartnerschaften|url=https://www.wolfsburg.de/leben/stadtportraitstadtgeschichte/staedtepartnerschaften|website=wolfsburg.de|publisher=Wolfsburg|language=de|access-date=2021-02-17}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Marignane]], France (1963)
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Province of Pesaro and Urbino]], Italy (1975)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Halberstadt]], Germany (1989)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Tolyatti]], Russia (1991)
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Bielsko-Biała]], Poland (1998)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiading District|Jiading (Shanghai)]], China (2007)
*{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Jendouba]], Tunisia (2010)
{{div col end}}

===Friendly cities===
Wolfsburg also has friendly relations with:<ref name=twins/>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Popoli]], Italy
*{{flagicon|BIH}} [[Sarajevo]], Bosnia and Herzegovina (1985)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Changchun]], China (2006)
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Puebla (city)|Puebla]], Mexico (2010)
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Toyohashi]], Japan (2011)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chattanooga]], United States (2011)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Dalian]], China (2011)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Nanhai District|Nanhai (Foshan)]], China (2015)
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
[[File:Hoffmann von Fallersleben by Schumacher 1819.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Hoffmann von Fallersleben]] painted by [[Carl Georg Christian Schumacher|CGC Schumacher]], 1819]]
*[[August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben]] (1798–1874), poet, writer of the German national anthem.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Hoffmann, August Heinrich |last= |first= |author-link= |volume= 13 |page= 561 |short=1}}</ref>
*[[Hanns Kerrl]] (1887–1941), politician (NSDAP), [[Reich Ministry for Church Affairs]]
*[[Hartwig Hohnsbein]] (born 1937), political scientist, retired pastor, author
*[[Rolf-Dieter Postlep]] (born 1946), economist, president of the [[University of Kassel]] in 2000–2015
*[[Günter Lach]] (1954–2021), politician, member of the Bundestag and mayor of Vorsfelde and Wolfsburg.
*[[Gabriele von Lutzau]] (born 1954), artist and sculptor, stewardess on [[Lufthansa Flight 181]], kidnapped in 1977
*[[Wolfgang Müller (artist)|Wolfgang Müller]] (born 1957), artist, musician and writer
*[[Peter Bialobrzeski]] (born 1961), photographer
*[[Edward Berger]] (born 1970), film director and screenwriter
*[[Dero Goi]] (born 1970), musician, founder and lead vocalist of [[Oomph!]]
*[[Sascha Paeth]] (born 1970), musician; guitarist, bassist, record producer and mixer
* [[:de:Heidi Schmidt|Heidi Schmidt, (DE Wiki)]] (1972–2010), novelist, children's author
*[[Sunhild Kleingärtner]] (born 1974), historian and archaeologist, specialising in [[maritime history]] and [[maritime archaeology|archaeology]]
*[[Valeska Homburg]] (born 1976), journalist
*[[Amanda Somerville]] (born 1979), an American singer-songwriter and musician; lives locally
*[[Anna-Katharina Samsel]] (born 1985), figure skater, model and actress, grew up in Wolfsburg

=== Sport ===
[[File:Siegfried Reich by Stuart Mentiply.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Siegfried Reich]], 2008]]
*[[Liane Winter]] (1942–2021), marathon runner, record breaking local marathon run in 1974
*[[Siegfried Reich]] (born 1959), footballer, played 434 games
*[[Petra Damm]] (born 1961), footballer, played 43 games for [[Germany women's national football team|Germany women]]
*[[Eckhardt Schultz]] (born 1964), rower, team gold medal in the men's eight at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Michael Knauth]] (born 1965), field hockey player, team gold medallist at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Jan Schanda]] (born 1977), footballer, played over 260 games
*[[Stefanie Gottschlich]] (born 1978), footballer, played 45 games for [[Germany women's national football team|Germany women]]
*[[Janne Schaefer]] (born 1981), swimmer, grew up in Wolfsburg
*[[Andrzej Rybski]] (born 1985), footballer who played over 375 games
*[[Oliver Kragl]] (born 1990), footballer who has played over 350 games
*[[Kevin Wolze]] (born 1990), footballer who has played over 350 games
*[[Sophie Scheder]] (born 1997), artistic gymnast, the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] bronze medalist on the uneven bars.

==See also==
*[[Metropolitan region Hannover-Braunschweig-Göttingen-Wolfsburg]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}} {{in lang |de}}

{{subject bar |auto=y |portal=Germany}}

{{Cities in Germany}}
{{Germany districts lower saxony}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wolfsburg| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Lower Saxony]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1938]]
[[Category:Company towns|Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:Urban districts of Lower Saxony]]