Dønna Municipality

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Municipality in Nordland, Norway

title: "Dønna Municipality" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["dønna-municipality", "municipalities-of-nordland", "1962-establishments-in-norway", "populated-places-established-in-1962"] description: "Municipality in Nordland, Norway" topic_path: "geography/norway" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dønna_Municipality" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Municipality in Nordland, Norway ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox kommune"]

Field	Value
name	Dønna
image_skyline	Dønnamannen.JPG
idnumber	1827
county	Nordland
district	Helgeland
capital	Solfjellsjøen
established	1 Jan 1962
preceded	Nordvik Municipality, Dønnes Municipality, and other areas
demonym	Dønnværing
language	Bokmål
coatofarms	Dønna komm.svg
webpage	www.donna.kommune.no
mayor	John-Erik S. Johansen
mayor_party	Ap
mayor_as_of	2024
elevation_max_m	855.1
highest_point_ref
area_rank	305
area_total_km2	192.57
area_land_km2	186.41
area_water_km2	6.16
area_water_percent	3.2
population_as_of	2024
population_rank	305
population_total	1427
population_density_km2	7.4
population_increase	0.5
coordinates
::

Dønna is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Helgeland region. The administrative centre of the island municipality is the village of Solfjellsjøen. Other villages include Bjørn, Dønnes, Hestad, Sandåker, and Vandve. The main island of Dønna is connected to the neighboring Herøy Municipality to the south by the Åkviksundet Bridge.

The 193 km2 municipality is the 305th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Dønna Municipality is the 305th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,427. The municipality's population density is 7.4 PD/km2 and its population has increased by 0.5% over the previous 10-year period.

General information

Municipal history

The municipality of Dønna was established on 1 January 1962 due to the work of the Schei Committee. The new municipality was created by merging these areas:

all of Nordvik Municipality (population: 1,293)
the part of Herøy Municipality on the southern tip of the island of Dønna (population: 19)
the part of Nesna Municipality on the island Løkta (population: 80)
the majority of Dønnes Municipality (population: 1,348), except for the part located on the island of Tomma.

The borders of Dønna Municipality have not changed since that time.

Name

The municipality is named after the island of Dønna (). The name is probably derived from the Old Norse verb which means to "rumble" or "roar" (referring to the swell of the waves on the island).

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 29 May 1981. The official blazon is "Or a schnecke azure from base sinister to dexter" (). This means the arms have a field (background) that is divided by a line called a schnecke (a swirling clockwise spiral design that is looks like a wave). The field located above the line has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The tincture below the line is blue. The arms are a canting symbol for the municipality since the Norwegian word dønning means "wave" or "swell". The arms were designed by Odd Fjordholm.

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within Dønna Municipality. It is part of the Nord-Helgeland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

::data[format=table title="style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Dønna Municipality'''''"]

Parish (sokn)	Church name	Location of the church	Year built
Dønna	Dønnes Church	Dønnes	13th century
Hæstad Church	Hestad	1912
Løkta Church	Sandåker	1968
Nordvik Church	Nordvik (near Solfjellsjøen)	1877
Vandve Church	Vandve	1956
::

Lovøygården.JPG|The old trading house at Lauvøy, surrounded by Sitka spruce Dønneskirke.jpg|Dønnes Church Doennamannen.jpg|View of the Dønnmannen mountain

Economy

Much of the industry focuses on fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing. There is also some agriculture, tourism, and some public services.

Government

Dønna 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. The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Helgeland District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Dønna Municipality 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. |name = Dønna |start = 2023 |end = 2027 |reference = |collapsed = |Total = 17 |Arbeiderpartiet = 6 |Høyre = 3 |Rødt = 2 |Senterpartiet = 4 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 2019 |end = 2023 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 17 |Arbeiderpartiet = 5 |Høyre = 4 |Rødt = 3 |Senterpartiet = 3 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 2015 |end = 2019 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 17 |Arbeiderpartiet = 6 |Fremskrittspartiet = 1 |Høyre = 2 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3 |Sp/Kyst = 5 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 2011 |end = 2015 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 17 |Arbeiderpartiet = 6 |Fremskrittspartiet = 2 |Høyre = 2 |Kyst = 2 |Senterpartiet = 2 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 2007 |end = 2011 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 17 |Arbeiderpartiet = 6 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 2 |Høyre = 2 |Fremskrittspartiet = 4 |Kyst = 1 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 2003 |end = 2007 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 17 |Arbeiderpartiet = 5 |Høyre = 3 |Senterpartiet = 3 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3 |Kyst = 1 |otherparty = Cross-party Election |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk Folkevalgte |otherparty_number = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1999 |end = 2003 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 8 |Høyre = 6 |Senterpartiet = 5 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1995 |end = 1999 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 5 |Høyre = 5 |Senterpartiet = 4 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |otherparty = Cross-party list |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk liste |otherparty_number = 4 |smallparty1 = Joint list of the Pensioners' Party and free voters |smallparty_no1 = Pensjonister og frie velgere |smallparty_number1 = 1 |smallparty_color1 = linear-gradient(135deg, 50%, #FFFFFF 50%); |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1991 |end = 1995 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 6 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1 |Senterpartiet = 5 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3 |otherparty = Cross-party list |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk liste |otherparty_number = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1987 |end = 1991 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 9 |Høyre = 5 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1 |Rød_Valgallianse = 1 |Senterpartiet = 4 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1983 |end = 1987 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 9 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1 |Senterpartiet = 3 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |otherparty = Dønna cross-party list |otherparty_no = Dønna Tverrpolitiske liste |otherparty_number = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1979 |end = 1983 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 6 |Høyre = 7 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 4 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1975 |end = 1979 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 7 |H/KrF = 6 |Senterpartiet = 6 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1971 |end = 1975 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 10 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 4 |Local_Lists = 1 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1967 |end = 1971 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 7 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 3 |Venstre = 1 |Local_Lists = 4 |}} |name = Dønna |start = 1963 |end = 1967 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 21 |Arbeiderpartiet = 7 |Høyre = 2 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 3 |Borgerlige_Felleslister = 7 |}}

Mayors

The mayor () of Dønna Municipality is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:

1962–1963: Fridtjof Leonhard Hjortdahl (H)
1963–1975: Hans Gården (H)
1975–1979: Gunnar Horsgård (Sp)
1979–1983: Hans Gården (H)
1983–1987: Helge Emilsen (Ap)
1987–1991: Finn Hjortdahl (H)
1991–1995: Steinar Horsgård (Sp)
1995–2003: Anne Sofie Sand Mathisen (Ap)
2003–2007: Steinar Horsgård (Sp)
2007–2011: Ingunn Laumann (Ap)
2011–2015: Anne Sofie Sand Mathisen (Ap)
2015–2019: John-Erik Skjellnes Johansen (Ap)
2019–2023: Nils Jenssen (Sp)
2024–present: John-Erik Skjellnes Johansen (Ap)

Geography

Dønna is located in the outer, coastal part of Helgeland which also consists of Leirfjord Municipality, Alstahaug Municipality, and Herøy Municipality. The municipality is made up of a large archipelago consisting of islands, islets, and reefs. The three largest islands in the municipality are Dønna, Løkta, and Vandve. The Åsværet islands (and the Åsvær Lighthouse) lie in the western part of the municipality. The island municipality is situated at the mouth of the Ranfjorden. The highest point in the municipality is the 855.1 m tall mountain Dønnmannen on the island of Dønna.

|image = File:Helgeland coast.jpg |height = 300 |caption = View from Dønnesfjellet, Dønna. The strandflaten lowland in the foreground and several islands with unique mountain formations visible in the distance

Farms of Dønna

Historically, the land of Dønna was divided up into named farms. These farms were used in census and tax records and are useful for genalogical research.

Map of farms

Note: Coordinates are approximate. The map has been divided into parts consistent with the enumeration districts () in the 1920 census of Norway. As this census was taken in 1920, and the boundaries of the municipality changed in 1962, this map is not consistent with modern enumeration districts. This map will include one farm name per farm number; other farm names or subdivision numbers may exist.

| mark-coord1 = | mark-title1 = 1: Skeim | shape-color1 = lime

| mark-coord2 = | mark-title2 = 2: Vaag | shape-color2 = lime

| mark-coord3 = | mark-title3 = 13: Sigerstad | shape-color3 = lime

| mark-coord4 = | mark-title4 = 14: Glein | shape-color4 = lime

| mark-coord5 = | mark-title5 = 15: Breivik | shape-color5 = red

| mark-coord6 = | mark-title6 = 16: Kobberdal | shape-color6 = red

| mark-coord8 = | mark-title8 = 18: Sund | shape-color8 = red

| mark-coord9 = | mark-title9 = 19: Hov | shape-color9 = red

| mark-coord10 = | mark-title10 = 20: Husby | shape-color10 = blue

| mark-coord11 = | mark-title11 = 10: Rølvaag | shape-color11 = purple

| mark-coord13 = | mark-title13 = 12: Aakvik | shape-color13 = purple

| mark-coord16 = | mark-title16 = 5: Bø | shape-color16 = black

| mark-coord19 = | mark-title19 = 8: Titternes | shape-color19 = black

| mark-coord20 = | mark-title20 = 9: Volnes | shape-color20 = black

Farm names and numbers

Following are the farms in Dønna municipality, as they are listed in O. Rygh's series "Norske Gaardnavne" ("Norwegian Farm Names"), the Nordland volume of which was published in 1905. :See also: Digital version of Norske Gaardnavne - Nordland

The farm numbers are used in some census records, and numbers that are near each other indicate that those farms are geographically proximate. Handwritten Norwegian sources, particularly those prior to 1800, may use variants on these names. For recorded variants before 1723, see the digital version of O. Rygh.

Farm names were often used as part of Norwegian names, in addition to the person's given name and patronymic or inherited surname. Some families retained the farm name, or toponymic, as a surname when they emigrated, so in those cases tracing a surname may tell you specifically where in Norway the family was from. This tradition began to change in the mid to late 19th century, and inherited surnames were codified into law in 1923.

If you can't find an entry when you are searching for a word that starts with AE, Ae, O, A or Aa, it may have been transcribed from one of those letters not used in English. Try looking for it under the Norwegian letter; Æ, Ø, and Å appear at the end of the Norwegian alphabet.

::data[format=table]

Farm Name	Farm Number
Skeim	1
Kamman, Vaag	2
Aakerøen	3
Aaker	4
Bø	5
Stavseng	6
Stavsengvik	7
Titternes	8
Volnes	9
Rølvaag	10
Dønnes	11
Aakvik	12
Sigerstad	13
Glein	14
Breivik	15
Kobberdal	16
Sandaaker	17
Sund	18
Hov	19
Husby	20
::

Notable people

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Anton_Chr._Bang.jpg" caption="Anton Chr. Bang"] ::

Gjeble Pederssøn (ca.1490 at Teigstad – 1557), a priest who was the first Lutheran bishop in Norway
Petter Dass (ca.1647 – 1707), a Lutheran priest and poet; (birthplace disputed).
Erasmus Zahl (1826 in Nordvika – 1900), a privileged trader and figure of the social hierarchy
Anton Christian Bang (1840 on Dønna – 1913), a theologian, historian, politician, and Bishop of Oslo from 1896 to 1912
Fredrikke Tønder-Olsen, (Norwegian Wiki) (1856 on Dønna - 1931), a feminist pioneer
Julius J. Olson (1875 on Dønna – 1955), a Minnesota Supreme Court justice
Ole Edvart Rølvaag (1876 on Dønna – 1931), a Norwegian-American author
Axel Coldevin (1900 on Dønna – 1992), a historian who wrote about trade and industry
Steinar Bastesen (born 1945 on Dønna), a Norwegian politician, fisherman, and whaler
Roy Jacobsen (born 1954), a novelist and short-story writer who lives periodically on Dønna
Odd Eriksen (born 1955), a politician who stopped an Algerian hijacker; brought up on Dønna
Jostein Pedersen (born 1959 in Dønna), a musical journalist, reporter, and TV commentator

References

(2024-01-16). "Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune". [[Kartverket]].
Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)".
Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)".
Jukvam, Dag. (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen". [[Statistics Norway.
(1871). "Helgelands stedsnavn". Den Norske historiske forening.
"Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World.
"Dønna, Nordland (Norway)".
(1981-07-31). "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet.
{{Cite SNL. kommunestyre. kommunestyre. 2024-12-31. Hansen. Tore. 2024-11-25
"Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet.
"Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet.
"Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)". Statistics Norway.
"Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet.
(1996). "Kommunestyrevalget 1995". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1993). "Kommunestyrevalget 1991". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1988). "Kommunestyrevalget 1987". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1984). "Kommunestyrevalget 1983". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1979). "Kommunestyrevalget 1979". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1977). "Kommunevalgene 1975". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1973). "Kommunevalgene 1972". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1967). "Kommunevalgene 1967". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(1964). "Kommunevalgene 1963". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
(2024). "Local Candidate Dataset".
(1961-10-21). "Det konstituerende møte i den nye Dønna kommune". [[Bergens Arbeiderblad]].
(2023-10-09). "Ordfører - perioden 2023 - 2027". Dønna kommune.
{{cite EB9

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::