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Zelbio: what to know before buying a home

A municipality in the province of Como, Lombardia. Official data on earthquakes, population, services and transport.

Liveability index free for any address

Search for an address in Zelbio

The report looks at the exact point: landslide and flood risk, seismic zone, price per square metre for the area, services and nearby stops.

For example: Via Giovan Battista Stoppani 1, Zelbio.

Zelbio, on the upland of the Lake Como triangle

Zelbio lies above Lake Como in the Triangolo Lariano, the mountainous wedge of land between the lake's two southern arms. The village is at about 800 metres, on an upland of meadows and woods towards the Pian del Tivano, reached from the lake by a road that climbs in hairpin bends. Como remains the reference for work, secondary schools and the hospital.

Its population is slightly younger than the provincial average: the estimated average age is 45.7, against 46.3 in the province of Como, and over-65s make up 22.2%. Foreign residents account for 21.1%. In 2023 there were 185 residents, down 15.9% from 220 in 2011, according to Istat, the national statistics office.

The market is made up of stone village houses, detached homes and houses used for holidays. Climate zone F means cold winters, colder than down by the lake, so heating and insulation matter, and it is worth knowing how the road is handled in snow. Without a car, daily life is complicated.

All 147 municipalities in the province of Como are in seismic zone 4, the lowest class in the Civil Protection classification, and here expected ground acceleration is about 0.042 g. Upkeep, damp and the state of the roof matter more than earthquakes.

With steep slopes and streams running down to the lake, landslide and flood hazard is assessed plot by plot: the report checks the official maps for the address and finds the land parcel on the Revenue Agency's cadastral maps.

Key points

  • Upland of the Triangolo Lariano at about 800 metres, above Lake Como.
  • Average age 45.7, against 46.3 in the province.
  • Foreign residents at 21.1%, population down 15.9% since 2011.
  • All 147 municipalities in the province in seismic zone 4.

Overview

Zelbio is a municipality in the province of Como, in Lombardia. At the end of 2023 it had 185 residents, among the smallest in the province (144 of 147).

Earthquakes

For Italy's Civil Protection Department, Zelbio is in seismic zone 4, the lowest-risk zone, where strong earthquakes are very rare. All 147 municipalities in the province are in the same zone.

In the built-up area, the expected ground shaking (peak ground acceleration, PGA) is about 0.042 g, a low value: the level with a 10% probability of being exceeded in 50 years, on rock.

In zone 4 the risk is low, but for an older building it is still worth asking about the state of the structure.

Population

Compared with the 2011 census, the resident population has fallen by 15.9%. The estimated average age is 46 years, in line with the province. 22% of residents are over 65 (the regional figure is 24%). Foreign residents make up 21.1% of the population. On average, a household has 1.9 members.

Income and climate

In tax year 2024, taxpayers in Zelbio declared an average taxable income of 26,535 euros, in line with the province (26,761 euros). The Italian average is 24,895 euros.

Zelbio is in climate zone F, with 3,208 heating degree days, with no limits on when heating may be used. The same table puts the town hall at 802 metres above sea level.

Services

The data shows no schools within the municipality, against a provincial average of 0.9 per 1,000 residents.

Public transport

The open timetables available for the area do not list any stops within the territory of Zelbio.

How built-up it is

Buildings, roads, car parks and other sealed surfaces cover 4.7% of the land in Zelbio, compared with 12.3% in the province and 12.2% in the region. In 2024 built-up land stayed almost the same.

Radon and contaminated sites

Zelbio is not among the radon priority areas designated by the Regione Lombardia in 2023. Radon varies from building to building and can only be known by measuring it, especially on ground floors and in basements.

Official databases list no contaminated sites in Zelbio.

Landslides and flooding

Landslide and flood hazard changes from one street to the next even within Zelbio: the report checks the address against the ISPRA maps.

House prices

The Revenue Agency's price ranges per square metre (OMI) apply to zones, not to whole municipalities: the report gives the range for the address's zone.

Land registry

The cadastral maps for Zelbio are public: from the address the report finds the sheet and parcel number.

Liveability area by area

The Vicinalia liveability index runs from 0 to 100 and looks at the place, not the people who live there: services within walking distance, transport, green space, natural hazards, air, quiet, buildings and connection. Here it is worked out at the centre of each of the 3 inhabited census areas in Zelbio. Half of the residents live in areas scoring 61 or more.

Residents by band

  • fair 100.0%

Vicinalia index by census area, licence CC BY-SA 4.0. Data: IdroGEO ISPRA (2026), Istat, INGV, EEA, AGCOM, Overture Maps and OpenStreetMap.

The colour is the value at the centre of the area. For an exact address, search for it above: the free check looks at that exact point. How the index is worked out

Data sources

ISTAT code 013246. The text on this page is generated automatically from the data.