Chełmek [ˈxɛu̯mɛk] is a town in Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland. In 1975–1998 it belonged to Bielsko-Biała Voivodeship. It has 9,073 inhabitants (data from 2006). Previously known for the Chełmek Shoe Factory, which until 1947 was part of Bata Shoes. Chełmek lies in the wetland area along the Przemsza river, at the foot of the Skała hill (293 meters above sea level). The town is surrounded by forests.