Osterøy Municipality

Quality 0.50 · 2 views · Updated 2 months ago

Municipality in Vestland, Norway

title: "Osterøy Municipality" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["osterøy", "municipalities-of-vestland", "1964-establishments-in-norway", "populated-places-established-in-1964"] description: "Municipality in Vestland, Norway" topic_path: "geography/norway" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osterøy_Municipality" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Municipality in Vestland, Norway ::

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

FieldValue
nameOsterøy
image_skylineHaus.JPG
image_captionView of the village of Haus
idnumber4630
countyVestland
districtNordhordland
capitalLonevåg
established1 Jan 1964
precededHamre, Hosanger, Haus, and part of Bruvik
demonymOstring
languageNynorsk
coatofarmsOsterøy komm.svg
webpagewww.osteroy.kommune.no
mayorLars Fjeldstad
mayor_partySp
mayor_as_of2019
elevation_max_m868.14
highest_point_ref
area_rank285
area_total_km2255.11
area_land_km2243.70
area_water_km211.41
area_water_percent4.5
population_as_of2025
population_rank131
population_total8172
population_density_km232
population_increase5.3
coordinates
::

|name = Osterøy |native_name = |native_name_lang = |other_name = |former_name = |image_skyline = Haus.JPG |image_caption = View of the village of Haus |idnumber = 4630 |county = Vestland |district = Nordhordland |capital = Lonevåg |established = 1 Jan 1964 |preceded = Hamre, Hosanger, Haus, and part of Bruvik |demonym = Ostring |language = Nynorsk |coatofarms = Osterøy komm.svg |webpage = www.osteroy.kommune.no |mayor = Lars Fjeldstad |mayor_party = Sp |mayor_as_of = 2019 |elevation_max_m = 868.14 |highest_point_ref = |area_rank = 285 |area_total_km2 = 255.11 |area_land_km2 = 243.70 |area_water_km2 = 11.41 |area_water_percent = 4.5 |population_as_of = 2025 |population_rank = 131 |population_total = 8172 |population_density_km2 = 32 |population_increase = 5.3 |coordinates =

Osterøy is an island municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Nordhordland. The municipality encompasses most of the island of Osterøy. The administrative centre of Osterøy is the village of Lonevåg in the central part of the island. The largest settlement is the village of Valestrandfossen with 1,380 inhabitants as of 1 January 2025.

Osterøy municipality and Vaksdal Municipality are both located on the island of Osterøy. Osterøy municipality covers most of the island with the mostly uninhabited northeastern part of the island belonging to Vaksdal Municipality. Osterøy is located a short distance northeast of the city of Bergen. It is surrounded by the Osterfjorden, Sørfjorden, and Veafjorden. The 19th-century musician and composer Ole Bull had a summer home in Valestrandfossen in Osterøy. The historic Havrå farm is a cluster farm which represents the traditional way of living for farmers. Havrå is located on the southeastern part of the municipality.

The 255.11 km2 municipality is the 285th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Osterøy Municipality is the 131st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 8,172. The municipality's population density is 32 PD/km2 and its population has increased by 5.3% over the previous 10-year period.

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Osteröy_Sörfjorden_Trengereid_IMG_3726.JPG" caption="Osterøy island, located above the fjord in the picture"] ::

The municipality sits on the island of Osterøy, encompassing most of the island. The island is surrounded by several fjords: Osterfjorden-Romarheimsfjorden, Sørfjorden, and Veafjorden. The highest mountain in the municipality is the 868 m tall Høgafjellet on the border with Vaksdal Municipality. The Lonevågen fjord cuts in the center of the island, with the village of Lonevåg sitting at the end of the fjord. Alver Municipality is located to the north, Vaksdal Municipality is located to the east, and Bergen Municipality is located to the south and west.

Settlements

Osterøy Municipality contains six "urban settlements", as defined by Statistics Norway (with populations listed from 1 January 2025): Valestrandfossen (1,380 inhabitants), Lonevåg (975 inhabitants), Hausvik (583 inhabitants), Haugo (844 inhabitants), Fotlandsvåg (277 inhabitants), and Hamre (216 inhabitants). Other rural settlements in Osterøy include Austbygdi, Bruvik, Gjerstad, and Hosanger.

History

The municipality of Osterøy was created on 1 January 1964 as part of a major municipal merger that was proposed by the Schei Committee. Osterøy was created from parts of four different municipalities that were all dissolved in the merger. The following areas were merged to form the new municipality of Osterøy:

Historically, this municipality was part of the old Hordaland county. On 1 January 2020, the municipality became a part of the newly-formed Vestland county (after Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane counties were merged).

Name

The municipality is named after the island of Osterøy () since the municipality encompassed most of the island. The first element of the name has an uncertain meaning. It is possible that it comes from the word which means "east". Another interpretation is that it is derived from the word which means "increase" or "surpass", thus it could be referring to the large size of the island. The last element, øy, was added later, but that word comes from the Old Norse word which means "island".

Culture

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Hamre_kirke.jpg" caption="View of the church at Hamre, dating back to 1622"] ::

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 20 December 1985. The official blazon is "Argent, three axes fesswise azure blades to the base, 2-1" (). This means the arms have a field (background) has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The charge is a set of three broad axes laying horizontally with their blades facing down, with two axes at the top and one beneath. Broad axes were historically used in the construction of timber houses, which has long traditions in the municipality. Building craftsmen from Osterøy have been known for their solid work throughout the county. The designer was Egil Korsnes who based his design on the idea of Magnus Hardeland. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.

Churches

The Church of Norway has five parishes (sokn) within Osterøy Municipality. It is part of the Åsane prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.

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

Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
BruvikBruvik ChurchBruvik1867
GjerstadGjerstad ChurchGjerstad1870
HamreHamre ChurchHamre1622
HausHaus ChurchHaus1874
HosangerHosanger ChurchHosanger1796
::

Government

Osterøy 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 Hordaland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Osterøy Municipality is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party. |name = Osterøy |start = 2023 |end = 2027 |reference = |collapsed = |nynorsk = yes |Total = 27 |Arbeiderpartiet = 4 |Fremskrittspartiet = 6 |Høyre = 4 |INP = 2 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 7 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1 |Venstre = 1 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 2019 |end = 2023 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 27 |Arbeiderpartiet = 4 |Fremskrittspartiet = 7 |Grønne = 1 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3 |Senterpartiet = 5 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |Venstre = 1 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 2015 |end = 2019 |reference = |collapsed = yes |Total = 27 |nynorsk = yes |Arbeiderpartiet = 8 |Fremskrittspartiet = 6 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 4 |Senterpartiet = 2 |Venstre = 1 |Grønne = 2 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 2011 |end = 2015 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 27 |Arbeiderpartiet = 10 |Fremskrittspartiet = 5 |Høyre = 6 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 3 |Venstre = 1 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 2007 |end = 2011 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 27 |Arbeiderpartiet = 8 |Fremskrittspartiet = 9 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 2 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1 |Venstre = 1 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 2003 |end = 2007 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 27 |Arbeiderpartiet = 8 |Fremskrittspartiet = 4 |Høyre = 5 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 2 |Senterpartiet = 3 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |Venstre = 1 |otherparty = Cross-Party Common List |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste |otherparty_number = 2 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1999 |end = 2003 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 10 |Fremskrittspartiet = 2 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5 |Senterpartiet = 2 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |Venstre = 2 |otherparty = Cross-Party Common List |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste |otherparty_number = 9 |otherparty1 = Osterøy Youth List |otherparty_no1 = Osterøy ungdomsliste |otherparty_number1 = 1 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1995 |end = 1999 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 9 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 4 |Senterpartiet = 6 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1 |Venstre = 2 |otherparty = Cross-Party Common List |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste |otherparty_number = 9 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1991 |end = 1995 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 8 |Fremskrittspartiet = 1 |Høyre = 3 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 4 |Senterpartiet = 6 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2 |Venstre = 1 |otherparty = Cross-Party Common List |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste |otherparty_number = 10 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1987 |end = 1991 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 11 |Fremskrittspartiet = 2 |Høyre = 5 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 3 |Senterpartiet = 5 |Venstre = 1 |otherparty = Cross-Party Common List |otherparty_no = Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste |otherparty_number = 8 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1983 |end = 1987 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 12 |Fremskrittspartiet = 3 |Høyre = 5 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5 |Senterpartiet = 7 |Venstre = 3 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1979 |end = 1983 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 9 |DLF = 2 |Høyre = 7 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5 |Senterpartiet = 8 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1 |Venstre = 3 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1975 |end = 1979 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 11 |DLF = 2 |Høyre = 4 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 7 |Senterpartiet = 9 |Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1 |Venstre = 1 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1971 |end = 1975 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 12 |Høyre = 3 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5 |Senterpartiet = 9 |Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 1 |Venstre = 5 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1967 |end = 1971 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 13 |Høyre = 3 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5 |Senterpartiet = 8 |Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 1 |Venstre = 5 |}} |name = Osterøy |start = 1964 |end = 1967 |reference = |collapsed = yes |nynorsk = yes |Total = 35 |Arbeiderpartiet = 13 |Høyre = 3 |Kristelig_Folkeparti = 5 |Senterpartiet = 8 |Sosialistisk_Folkeparti = 1 |Venstre = 5 |note = On 1 January 1964, Osterøy Municipality was created from parts of Bruvik Municipality, Hamre Municipality, Haus Municipality, and Hosanger Municipality. |}}

Mayors

The mayor () of Osterøy 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:

  • 1964–1967: Gerhard Bøe (Sp)
  • 1967–1971: Mons R. Mjelde (Sp)
  • 1971–1975: Gerhard Bøe (Sp)
  • 1975–1979: Sigvald Hauge (Ap)
  • 1979–1983: Jon Hanstveit (KrF)
  • 1983–1987: Ingunn Rongved (Sp)
  • 1987–1999: Erling Raknes (Ap)
  • 1999–2003: Ove Arne Kleiveland (LL)
  • 2003–2015: Kari Foseid Aakre (Ap)
  • 2015–2019: Jarle Skeidsvoll (KrF)
  • 2019–present: Lars Fjeldstad (Sp)

Transport

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Osterøybrua_osterøy.JPG" caption="Osterøy Bridge"] ::

Osterøy is connected to the mainland by a ferry from Breistein to Valestrand, and by a bridge on the far southern end of the island. The ferry named "Ole Bull" is sailing every half-hour from Breistein and Valestrand from early morning to late in the evening.

The Osterøy Bridge, finished in 1997, provides Osterøy with its only permanent road connection to the mainland in Bergen municipality. The bridge has a main span of 595 m, the third longest suspension bridge main span in Norway, for a total length of 917 m. Since 2015, the bridge has been toll-free. There are no road connections from Osterøy municipality to the Vaksdal municipality part of Osterøy island. That part of the island has the Kallestadsundet Bridge connecting it to the rest of Vaksdal municipality from the east.

Population

|align = none |direction = horizontal |percentages = pagr |source = Statistics Norway and Norwegian Historical Data Centre |1964|5518 |1970|5660 |1980|6579 |1990|7016 |2000|7006 |2010|7412 |2020|8098 |2023|8152

Notable people

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Sylvelin_Vatle.jpg" caption="Sylvelin Vatle"] ::

Sport

References

References

  1. (2024-01-16). "Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune". [[Kartverket]].
  2. Statistisk sentralbyrå. (2025-10-27). "Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality".
  3. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)".
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)".
  5. Jukvam, Dag. (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen". [[Statistics Norway.
  6. {{Cite SNL. Vestland. Vestland. 2025-10-10. Thorsnæs. Geir. 2025-08-01
  7. "austur". ensk-íslensk orðabók.
  8. "eyja". ensk-íslensk orðabók.
  9. (2023-01-26). "Osterøy". [[Kunnskapsforlaget]].
  10. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World.
  11. "Osteroy, Hordaland (Norway)".
  12. (1985-12-20). "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet.
  13. "Osterøy kommune, våpen". Arkivverket.
  14. {{Cite SNL. kommunestyre. kommunestyre. 2024-12-31. Hansen. Tore. 2024-11-25
  15. "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Vestland". [[Valgdirektoratet]].
  16. "Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Vestland". [[Valgdirektoratet]].
  17. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)". Statistics Norway.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Hordaland". [[Valgdirektoratet]].
  19. (1996). "Kommunestyrevalget 1995". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  20. (1993). "Kommunestyrevalget 1991". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  21. (1988). "Kommunestyrevalget 1987". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  22. (1984). "Kommunestyrevalget 1983". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  23. (1979). "Kommunestyrevalget 1979". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  24. (1977). "Kommunevalgene 1975". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  25. (1973). "Kommunevalgene 1972". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  26. (1967). "Kommunevalgene 1967". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  27. (1964). "Kommunevalgene 1963". Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  28. (2024). "Local Candidate Dataset".
  29. (1963-10-18). "Gerhard Bø, Senterpartiet ordførar og Sigvald Hauge, Arbeiderpartiet varaordførar i Osterøy". Bruvik.
  30. (1967-12-29). "Mons R. Mjelde, Haus, ny Osterøy-ordførar". [[Bergens Arbeiderblad]].
  31. Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet. "Censuses in the Norwegian Historical Data Archive (NHDC)".

::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. ::

osterøymunicipalities-of-vestland1964-establishments-in-norwaypopulated-places-established-in-1964