Nieuwerkerken is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg near Hasselt. On January 1, 2006 Nieuwerkerken had a total population of 6,606. The total area is 22.46 km² which gives a population density of 294 inhabitants per km². It consists of 4 villages: Binderveld, Wijer, Kozen and Nieuwerkerken. The current mayor is Benny Bamps (CD&V - Christian Democrats).