Austrheim is a municipality in the Nordhordland region of Vestland county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Årås. Other villages in the municipality include Austrheim and Kaland. The Mongstad industrial area lies along the border of Austrheim and neighboring Lindås municipality. The westernmost point of mainland Norway lies in the municipality at Vardetangen.

Austrheim Municipality
Austrheim kommune
Austreim herred  (historic name)
Østereim herred  (historic name)
View of the Mongstad area
View of the Mongstad area
Vestland within Norway
Vestland within Norway
Austrheim within Vestland
Austrheim within Vestland
Coordinates: 60°46′16″N 04°55′34″E / 60.77111°N 4.92611°E / 60.77111; 4.92611
CountryNorway
CountyVestland
DistrictNordhordland
Established1 Jan 1910
 • Preceded byLindås Municipality
Administrative centreÅrås
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Morten Sognnes (H)
Area
 • Total57.57 km2 (22.23 sq mi)
 • Land56.80 km2 (21.93 sq mi)
 • Water0.74 km2 (0.29 sq mi)  1.3%
 • Rank#347 in Norway
Population
 (2023)
 • Total2,856
 • Rank#235 in Norway
 • Density50.3/km2 (130/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +0.8%
DemonymAustrheiming[1]
Official language
 • Norwegian formNynorsk
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4632[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

The 58-square-kilometre (22 sq mi) municipality is the 347th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Austrheim is the 235th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,856. The municipality's population density is 50.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (130/sq mi) and its population has increased by 0.8% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

In 2016, the chief of police for Vestlandet formally suggested a reconfiguration of police districts and stations. He proposed that the police station for Austrheim and Fedje be closed.[6]

General information

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View of a small fishing village area in Austrheim
 
View of Vardetangen
 
Austrheim Church

Historically, Austrheim was a part of the large Lindås Municipality. On 1 January 1910, the northwestern district of Lindås (population: 2,518) was separated from Lindås to form the new municipality of Austrheim. On 1 January 1947, all of the islands located west of the Fedjefjorden (population: 920) were separated to form the new Fedje Municipality. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the Straume area on the island of Radøy (population: 56) was transferred from Austrheim to the new Radøy Municipality.[7]

Name

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The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Austrheim farm (Old Norse: Austrheimr) since the first Austrheim Church was built there. The first element is austr which means "east". The last element is heimr which means "homestead" or "village". Until 1889, the name was written Østereim. After that the spelling was Austreim, and most recently it is spelled Austrheim.[8]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 17 February 1989. The official blazon is "Azure, three bars embowed argent" (Norwegian: På blå grunn tre sølv bjelkar bøygde oppover). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the ordinary is a set of three arched bars. The bars have a tincture of argent which means they are commonly colored white, but if the arms are made out of metal, then silver is used. The three bows represent the many bridges in the island municipality. The color blue was chosen to represent the sea and the white/silver was to represent the land. The arms were designed by Svein Skauge. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[9][10][11]

Churches

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The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Austrheim. It is part of the Nordhordland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.

Churches in Austrheim
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Austrheim Austrheim Church Austrheim 1865

Government

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Austrheim Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[12] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Hordaland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Mayors

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The mayors (Nynorsk: ordførar) of Austrheim (incomplete list):

  • 1975-1976: Knut Johannes Risnes (KrF)[13]
  • 1986-1992: Knut Johannes Risnes (KrF)[13]
  • 2003–2011: Ole Lysø (Ap)
  • 2011–2023: Per Lerøy (Ap)
  • 2023-present: Morten Sognnes (H)[14]

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Austrheim is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Austrheim kommunestyre 2023–2027 [15]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Industry and Business Party (Industri‑ og Næringspartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
 Common List in Austrheim (Samlingslista i Austrheim)2
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 2019–2023 [16]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
 Local List in Austrheim (Bygdelista i Austrheim)1
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 2015–2019 [17]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 2011–2015 [18]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 6
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 2007–2011 [17]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 2003–2007 [17]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Local list (Bygdelista)3
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1999–2003 [17]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Local list (Bygdelista)2
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1995–1999 [19]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Local list (Bygdelista)3
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1991–1995 [20]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1987–1991 [21]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1983–1987 [22]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1979–1983 [23]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
 Local list (Bygdeliste)2
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1975–1979 [24]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1971–1975 [25]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1967–1971 [26]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 7
Total number of members:17
Austrheim kommunestyre 1963–1967 [27]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 11
Total number of members:17
Austrheim heradsstyre 1959–1963 [28]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 14
Total number of members:17
Austrheim heradsstyre 1955–1959 [29]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 15
Total number of members:17
Austrheim heradsstyre 1951–1955 [30]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 13
Total number of members:16
Austrheim heradsstyre 1947–1951 [31]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 7
Total number of members:16
Austrheim heradsstyre 1945–1947 [32]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 1
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidarar, fiskarar, småbrukarar liste) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:18
Austrheim heradsstyre 1937–1941* [33]  
Party name (in Nynorsk) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidarar, fiskarar, småbrukarar liste) 5
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) 9
Total number of members:18
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Economy

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The Mongstad industrial complex lies on the border of Austrheim and Lindås. It is the largest oil port and refinery in Norway, is responsible for about 70% of all wet bulk. Many residents of Austrheim work at the facility.

Population

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Historical population
Year1910192019301946195119601970198019902000201020202023
Pop.1,7631,9352,0612,3042,3902,2161,8802,5492,6842,5272,7382,8702,856
±% p.a.—    +0.94%+0.63%+0.70%+0.74%−0.84%−1.63%+3.09%+0.52%−0.60%+0.81%+0.47%−0.16%
Source: Statistics Norway[4][34] and Norwegian Historical Data Centre[35]

Geography

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Austrheim is an island municipality in the Nordhordland region of Vestland county. It is located south of the Fensfjorden, east of the Fedjefjorden, north of the island of Radøy, and west of the Lindås peninsula. The municipality includes the far northwestern tip of the peninsula as well as many islands. The largest island (by far) is the island of Fosnøyna, where the municipal centre is located.

Gulen Municipality is located to the north (across the fjord), Fedje Municipality is located on islands to the west, Alver Municipality lies to the south.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ^ a b Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ^ Fjelltveit, Ingvild; Raunholm, Per Vidar (20 December 2016). "Foreslår å legge ned 17 lensmannskontor i Vest politidistrikt". NRK Hordaland (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  7. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  8. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1910). Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Bergenhus amt (in Norwegian) (11 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 423.
  9. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Austrheim, Hordaland (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 14 April 1989. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  12. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Risnes, Knut Johannes" (in Norwegian). Storting. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Morten Sognnes ny ordførar i Austrheim". Austrheim kommune (in Norwegian). Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Vestland". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Vestland". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  17. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Hordaland". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  30. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  33. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  34. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Folke- og bustadteljing 2001" (PDF) (in Norwegian).
  35. ^ Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet. "Censuses in the Norwegian Historical Data Archive (NHDC)".
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