Gmina Pierzchnica is a rural gmina (administrative district) in Kielce County, within the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship of south‑central Poland. Its administrative seat is the village of Pierzchnica, located approximately 23 km southeast of the regional capital Kielce.
Geography
The gmina covers an area of about 104.5 km² (40.4 sq mi). It lies in the historic region of Lesser Poland and is part of the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains foothills.
Demographics
According to official Polish statistics from 2006, Gmina Pierzchnica had a total population of 4,058, giving it a population density of roughly 39 inhabitants per km². More recent population figures are not provided in the source material.
Settlements
Gmina Pierzchnica contains the following villages and settlements:
- Biskupice
- Biskupice‑Kolonia
- Dobre
- Dobre‑Kolonia
- Krajno
- Krajno‑Kolonia
- Łysaków
- Łysaków‑Kolonia
- Mirocice
- Mirocice‑Osada
- Pierzchnica (seat)
- Pierzchnica‑Kolonia
- Stara Huta
- Wola Krajewska
- Wola Krajewska‑Kolonia
Neighbouring gminas
Gmina Pierzchnica is bordered by the gminas of Chmielnik, Daleszyce, Gnojno, Łagów and Mniów.
Administration
The gmina is governed by an elected council (rada gminy) and a mayor (wójt). It is part of the third‑level territorial division of Poland, reporting to Kielce County authorities, which in turn are subordinate to the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.
Economy and Land Use
The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, with a mix of small‑scale farming, animal husbandry, and limited forestry. The area includes several small enterprises, mainly in the service and trade sectors serving the rural population.
References
- Central Statistical Office of Poland (Główny Urząd Statystyczny), Local Data Bank.
- Official website of Gmina Pierzchnica (in Polish).