Waldniel (Limburgish: Wádneel) is a village, part of the municipality Schwalmtal in the district Viersen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It has 11,750 inhabitants (December 2020).

History The first humans lived at the location of the modern Waldniel in the Neolithic (2000 v. Chr.) In 1020, this place was first mentioned in a document.

Geography The Kranenbach flows through Waldniel.

Notable residents

Albin Windhausen (1863–1946), painter Josef Windhausen (1888–1946), local politician (CDU) Heinz Küppenbender (1901–1989), manager Ludwig Gabriel Schrieber (1907–1975), sculptor, painter and draughtsman Ernst van Aaken (1910–1984), sports physician and trainer Rudi Fuesers (1928–2010), trombonist of modern jazz Herbert Dörenberg (born 1945), football coach and former professional footballer Stefan Berger (born 1969), Member of Parliament, Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia Bernhard Rösler (1906–1973), entrepreneur, honorary citizen of the municipality of Schwalmtal (1972) Joachim "Joko" Winterscheidt (born 1979), actor and presenter (grew up in Waldniel) Karl Oelers (1913–1971), manufacturer

References