Nijkerk

Nijkerk is a municipality and town in the central Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland. The town of Nijkerk serves as the administrative center of the municipality, which also includes several surrounding villages. The area lies to the east of Amersfoort and north of Harderwijk, near the Veluwe region.

As of 2023, the municipality has around 40,000 inhabitants. The population is concentrated in the town of Nijkerk, with smaller settlements making up the remainder.

Nijkerk is served by Nijkerk railway station on the line between Amersfoort and Zwolle, and it is connected by highways, including the nearby A28, providing access to the Randstad and to the northeast.

The town has medieval origins and grew as a rural settlement, with agriculture and peat extraction historically important. In the 20th century it expanded as a residential town, attracting commuters due to its rail and road connections.

The municipality contains a historic town center with churches and adaptive use of historic buildings, as well as local amenities, schools, and cultural facilities. The local economy today is mixed, with services, small industry, and logistics serving the surrounding region.

Nijkerk is governed by a municipal council and a mayor, within the Province of Gelderland. It participates in provincial and national elections and cooperates with neighboring municipalities on regional planning and services.