# Kiryat Motzkin

Kiryat Motzkin (Hebrew: קִרְיַת מוֹצְקִין) is a city in the Haifa District of Israel, 8 kilometres (5 miles) north of the city center of Haifa. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2022 it had a population of 48,001. However, as of September 2024, the unofficial population count is 55,600, reflecting significant growth not yet captured in official statistics. The city is named after Leo Motzkin (1867-1933), one of the organizers of the First Zionist Congress in 1897. The mayor of the city is Tziki Tzvi Avisar.

## History

Kiryat Motzkin was founded in 1934, and by 1935 the first school was opened. In 1939, the town had a population of about 2,000 and 345 buildings. Kiryat Motzkin railway station was constructed by British Mandatory Palestine in 1937. In the Second World War, Kiryat Motzkin suffered from German\Italian air bombarding. It received local council status in 1940. During the 1947–48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine, an important battle took place near Kiryat Motzkin when the Haganah destroyed an Arab arms convoy and killed the commander of Arab forces in the process. This contributed to the Jewish victory in the Battle of Haifa.

## Demographics

Kiryat Motzkin has experienced significant immigration waves throughout its history, contributing to its diverse population. Approximately 40% of the city's residents are immigrants from the former Soviet Union or their descendants, significantly influencing the city's cultural landscape. According to the Israeli Interior Ministry, in 2024 the ethnic makeup of the city was predominantly Jewish and other non-Arabs. There were 25,000 males and 28,000 females, with 25.5% of the population 19 years of age or younger, 15.2% between 20 and 29, 19.0% between 30 and 44, 20.1% from 45 to 59, 4.5% from 60 to 64, and 15.9% 65 years of age or older. The city has been experiencing positive migration, with more people moving in than out. This trend is attributed to the city's reputation as a safe, quiet, and comfortable place to live. The socio-economic status of Kiryat Motzkin's residents is considered high within the Haifa metropolitan area. On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest), the city's population ranks 7, indicating a relatively affluent community.

## Economy and Employment

Kiryat Motzkin is primarily a commuter town, with most residents working outside the city. However, its population contributes significantly to the broader regional economy. A substantial portion of Kiryat Motzkin's residents are academics who work in high-tech companies, the oil industry, academia, and advanced defense industries, primarily in nearby Haifa or in the industrial zones of neighboring cities.

## Urban Development

Kiryat Motzkin has exhausted its land reserves for new construction. As a result, the city's urban future lies in urban renewal projects. These projects aim to modernize and densify existing neighborhoods while maintaining the city's character as a comfortable suburban area.

## Education

There are 18 schools and 11,000 students in Kiryat Motzkin, with 8 elementary schools (4,000 students) and 6 high schools (4,500 students). In 2023, 91.1% of 12th-grade students were eligible for a matriculation certificate.

## Transportation

Kiryat Motzkin is served by Kiryat Motzkin Railway Station, which is on the main Coastal railway line to Nahariya, with southerly trains to Beersheba and Modi'in. The Krayot Central Bus Station is located on the northern edge of the municipality and serves as a terminus for the Metronit bus rapid transit system and local bus routes.

## Twin towns – sister cities

Kiryat Motzkin is twinned with:
* Bad Kreuznach (district), Germany
* Bad Segeberg, Germany
* Haßberge (district), Germany
* Kaifeng, China
* Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic
* Nyíregyháza, Hungary
* Orlando, United States
* Radzyń Podlaski County, Poland
* Włodawa County, Poland
* Magdeburg, Germany

## Notable people

* Yuval Avidor (born 1986), footballer
* Mark Malyar (born 2000), Paralympic champion and world champion para swimmer
* Ofir Mizrahi (born 1993), footballer
* Shuki Schwartz (born 1954), basketball player
* Bar Soloveychik (born 2000), Olympic swimmer