Seinäjoki

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title: "Seinäjoki" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["seinäjoki", "cities-and-towns-in-finland", "populated-places-established-in-1868", "1868-establishments-in-finland", "municipalities-of-south-ostrobothnia"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinäjoki" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

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

Field	Value
name	Seinäjoki
official_name	Seinäjoen kaupunki
Seinäjoki stad
settlement_type	City
image_skyline	Seinajoki Montage2022.png
image_shield	Seinäjoki.vaakuna.svg
shield_size	120x80px
image_map	Seinäjoki_sijainti_Suomi.svg
map_caption	Location of Seinäjoki in Finland
coordinates
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Finland
subdivision_type1	Region
subdivision_name1	South Ostrobothnia
subdivision_type2	Sub-region
subdivision_name2	Seinäjoki
leader_title	City manager
leader_name	Jaakko Kiiskilä
established_title	Charter
established_date	1868
established_title2	Market town
established_date2	1931
established_title3	Town
established_date3	1960
area_footnotes
area_total_km2
area_land_km2
area_water_km2
area_urban_km2	52.78
area_rank
population_as_of
population_footnotes
population_total
population_density_km2
population_urban	46639
population_density_urban_km2	883.6
population_rank
demographics_type1
demographics1_footnotes
demographics1_title1
demographics1_info1
demographics1_title2
demographics1_info2
demographics1_title3
demographics1_info3
demographics1_title4
demographics1_info4
demographics_type2
demographics2_footnotes
demographics2_title1
demographics2_info1
demographics2_title2
demographics2_info2
demographics2_title3
demographics2_info3
blank_name
blank_info
timezone	EET
utc_offset	+02:00
timezone_DST	EEST
utc_offset_DST	+03:00
website
::

Seinäjoki (; "Wall River"; , formerly ) is a city in Finland and the regional capital of South Ostrobothnia. Seinäjoki is located in the western interior of the country and along the River Seinäjoki. The population of Seinäjoki is approximately , while the sub-region has a population of approximately . It is the most populous municipality in Finland, and the 13th most populous urban area in the country.

Seinäjoki is located 80 km east of Vaasa, 178 km north of Tampere, 193 km west of Jyväskylä and 324 km southwest of Oulu.

Seinäjoki originated around the Östermyra bruk iron and gunpowder factories founded in 1798. Seinäjoki became a municipality in 1868, a market town in 1931, and a town in 1960. In 2005, the municipality of Peräseinäjoki was merged into Seinäjoki, and at the start of 2009, the neighbouring municipalities of Nurmo and Ylistaro were amalgamated with Seinäjoki. The city itself is growing steadily from year to year, but the population of the surrounding municipalities is correspondingly decreasing.

The city hall, city library, Lakeuden Risti Church and other public buildings were designed by Alvar Aalto. Seinäjoki was historically called Östermyra in Swedish. Today, this name, which was never official, is very seldom used even among Swedish speakers. Seinäjoki Airport is located in the neighbouring municipality of Ilmajoki, 11 km south from the Seinäjoki city centre. Seinäjoki railway station in city centre was opened in 1883 and until 1897, it carried the name Ostermyra station.

History

The settlement spread in the area of the present Seinäjoki during the first half of the 16th century. During the 1550s, there is said to have been three houses in Seinäjoki: the houses of Marttila, Jouppi and Uppa. The house of Jouppila, which separated from the house of Jouppi, was established during the same century. All of the houses were located on the shore of the river.

Seinäjoki belonged to the church parish of Ilmajoki like Kurikka, Kauhajoki, Jalasjärvi and Alavus. However, in the 18th century the roads from Seinäjoki to the Church of Ilmajoki were generally in poor condition. Therefore, the inhabitants of Seinäjoki and the neighbouring Nurmo built a new chapel together in 1725, which in 1765 led to the formation of the chapel town of Nurmo. Seinäjoki, which was called Alaseinäjoki since the Greater Wrath, became a part of the chapel town. The chapel parish of Peräseinäjoki was founded in 1798, and the village of Alaseinäjoki began to be called Seinäjoki again. The very same year, the Östermyra steel mill was founded on the shore of the Seinäjoki river.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Östermyra_-Johan_Knutson-Finland_framställdt_i_teckningar-_108.jpg" caption="Illustration in [[Finland framstäldt i teckningar]] edited by [[Zacharias Topelius]] and published 1845-1852."] ::

In the 1850s, actions were taken to separate Seinäjoki from the church parish of Nurmo. Ilmajoki wanted to connect Seinäjoki back to its own parish. In spite of strong objections from the inhabitants of Nurmo, the Senate of Finland accepted the petition from the inhabitants of Seinäjoki in 1863, to form a chapel congregation of their own. Seinäjoki got an independent local government in 1868. In 1900, Seinäjoki became an independent municipality.

Seinäjoki has grown around a few important railroad crossings. The Tampere–Vaasa railway, which passes through Seinäjoki, was inaugurated in 1883. The track, along with the Kokkola track that was opened for rail service in 1885, and the Kristinestad track which had been completed in 1913, raised Seinäjoki as an important railway crossing section in Finland. In the early 1970s, a direct railway between Tampere and Seinäjoki was opened, and the services of Seinäjoki improved further.

After the Winter War and Continuation War, some refugees from Jaakkima and Lumivaara were resettled to Seinäjoki.

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Seinäjoki_roads_and_villages.jpg" caption="A map of the Seinäjoki municipality with main roads and villages"] ::

The neighboring municipalities of Seinäjoki are Kauhava in the north, Lapua in the northeast, Kuortane and Alavus in the east, Virrat and Kihniö in the south, Ilmajoki and Kurikka in the west and Isokyrö in the northwest.

The proportion of water in the Seinäjoki landscape is small. Seinäjoki River flows through the city in a south-east-northwest direction and turns at the northern border of the city center, connecting with the Kyrönjoki River, which flows into the Gulf of Bothnia in the Vaasa area.

The most significant road connections in Seinäjoki are highways 16, 18 (between cities of Vaasa and Jyväskylä), 19 and 67.

Climate

| width = auto | metric first = y | single line = y | location = Seinäjoki Pelmaa (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1959–present) | Jan mean C = -5.6 | Feb mean C = -6.2 | Mar mean C = -3.5 | Apr mean C = 3.3 | May mean C = 9.2 | Jun mean C = 14.1 | Jul mean C = 16.7 | Aug mean C = 14.9 | Sep mean C = 10.0 | Oct mean C = 4.3 | Nov mean C = -0.1 | Dec mean C = -4.3 | year mean C = 4.6 | Jan high C = -2.6 | Feb high C = -2.7 | Mar high C = 1.7 | Apr high C = 8.2 | May high C = 15.0 | Jun high C = 19.5 | Jul high C = 22.1 | Aug high C = 20.5 | Sep high C = 15.0 | Oct high C = 7.4 | Nov high C = 2.1 | Dec high C = -0.8 | year high C = 8.8 | Jan low C = -9.2 | Feb low C = -10.1 | Mar low C = -6.8 | Apr low C = -1.1 | May low C = 3.1 | Jun low C = 8.1 | Jul low C = 11.0 | Aug low C = 9.6 | Sep low C = 5.5 | Oct low C = 1.3 | Nov low C = -2.5 | Dec low C = -6.4 | year low C = 0.2 | Jan record low C = -40.5 | Feb record low C = -43.6 | Mar record low C = -31.4 | Apr record low C = -21.1 | May record low C = -7.6 | Jun record low C = -3.0 | Jul record low C = -0.8 | Aug record low C = -2.4 | Sep record low C = -7.4 | Oct record low C = -22.8 | Nov record low C = -29.4 | Dec record low C = -37.3 | year record low C = -43.6 | Jan record high C = 8.6 | Feb record high C = 9.8 | Mar record high C = 15.4 | Apr record high C = 24.5 | May record high C = 29.2 | Jun record high C = 32.6 | Jul record high C = 33.6 | Aug record high C = 31.5 | Sep record high C = 27.7 | Oct record high C = 20.6 | Nov record high C = 12.9 | Dec record high C = 9.1 | year record high C = 33.6 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 32 | Feb precipitation mm = 24 | Mar precipitation mm = 26 | Apr precipitation mm = 28 | May precipitation mm = 46 | Jun precipitation mm = 59 | Jul precipitation mm = 74 | Aug precipitation mm = 73 | Sep precipitation mm = 54 | Oct precipitation mm = 58 | Nov precipitation mm = 47 | Dec precipitation mm = 40 | year precipitation mm = 561 | Jan humidity = 90 | Feb humidity = 87 | Mar humidity = 80 | Apr humidity = 74 | May humidity = 68 | Jun humidity = 70 | Jul humidity = 77 | Aug humidity = 80 | Sep humidity = 85 | Oct humidity = 90 | Nov humidity = 93 | Dec humidity = 92 | year humidity = 82 | Jan sun = 30 | Feb sun = 71 | Mar sun = 145 | Apr sun = 189 | May sun = 267 | Jun sun = 276 | Jul sun = 268 | Aug sun = 207 | Sep sun = 140 | Oct sun = 80 | Nov sun = 31 | Dec sun = 17 | year sun = 1718 | source 2 = Record highs and lows {{cite web | url = https://kilotavu.com/asema-taulukko.php?asema=101486 | title = FMI open data | publisher = FMI | access-date = 22 February 2024}} | source = FMI normals for Finland 1991-2020 | Jan avg record low C = -23.5 | Feb avg record low C = -23.6 | Mar avg record low C = -18.9 | Dec avg record low C = -18.6 | Apr avg record low C = -8.4 | May avg record low C = -3.4 | Jun avg record low C = 1.4 | Jul avg record low C = 4.2 | Aug avg record low C = 2.2 | Sep avg record low C = -2.6 | Oct avg record low C = -7.7 | Nov avg record low C = -13.0 | year avg record low C = -27.1 | Jan avg record high C = 4.3 | Feb avg record high C = 4.1 | Dec avg record high C = 5.0 | Mar avg record high C = 8.9 | Apr avg record high C = 17.1 | May avg record high C = 24.5 | Jun avg record high C = 26.8 | Jul avg record high C = 28.3 | Aug avg record high C = 26.9 | Sep avg record high C = 21.4 | Oct avg record high C = 13.9 | Nov avg record high C = 8.3 | year avg record high C = 29.3

Demographics

Population

| title= Historical population | percentages = pagr |state = collapsed |1940|5085 |1972|38296 |1980|42497 |1990|47182 |2000|50670 |2010|57811 |2020|64130 |footnote=Source: Tilastollinen päätoimisto, Statistics Finland (1972-2020)

The city of Seinäjoki has inhabitants, making it the most populous municipality in Finland. The Seinäjoki region has a population of .

Languages

At least 30 different languages are spoken in Seinäjoki. The most common foreign languages are Ukrainian (0.8%), Russian (0.5%), English (0.4%), Arabic (0.3%) and Sinhala (0.3%).

Immigration

::data[format=table] | Nationality || Population || % | |---| | Finland | | Ukraine | | Soviet Union | | Sweden | | Sri Lanka | | Thailand | | Estonia | | Nepal | | Bangladesh | | Turkey | | Russia | | Other | ::

, there were 3,651 persons with a foreign background living in Seinäjoki, or 6% of the population. The number of residents who were born abroad was 3,738, or 6% of the population. The number of persons with foreign citizenship living in Seinäjoki was 2,714. Most foreign-born citizens came from Ukraine, the former Soviet Union, Sweden and Sri Lanka.

The relative share of immigrants in Seinäjoki's population is below to the national average. However, the city's new residents are increasingly of foreign origin. This will increase the proportion of foreign residents in the coming years.

Religion

In 2023, the Evangelical Lutheran Church was the largest religious group with 76.7% of the population of Seinäjoki. Other religious groups accounted for 2.1% of the population. 21.2% of the population had no religious affiliation.

Economy

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Interior_of_Torikeskus_20180417.jpg" caption="Torikeskus]] shopping center in the city center"] ::

Nordic Regional Airlines has its financial office in Seinäjoki. Its predecessor, Finncomm Airlines, had its head office on the grounds of Seinäjoki Airport in nearby Ilmajoki.

In terms of market area, Seinäjoki is the sixth largest city in the country. Also Seinäjoki has a nationally and internationally significant food production and R&D industry. Headquartered in Seinäjoki food company Atria Corporation's net sales in 2009 were EUR 1316 million and it employed an average of 6,214 persons in several countries. According to a study published by the Economic Survey at the end of 2018, Seinäjoki has the best image among corporate leaders among the 36 largest Finnish cities and municipalities. The survey had asked the CEOs and CFOs of companies operating in the area about the municipality's affairs.

Seinäjoki also is well known for having a large number of SME's and a big number of shops for its size. One of the most important shopping places in Seinäjoki is the Torikeskus shopping mall in the city center.

Culture

There are many kinds of cultural events in Seinäjoki nowadays. For example, Seinäjoki is known for hosting three large summer events: Tangomarkkinat, which is a tango festival typically attracting more than 100,000 visitors annually, Vauhtiajot, which is a motor racing event/music festival, and Provinssirock, which is one of the largest and oldest rock festivals in Finland. Rytmikorjaamo is a popular rock club, wherein almost every weekend some Finnish or international artists perform. In Seinäjoki there are also several other bars and clubs offering live music and other entertainment. The city theatre of Seinäjoki has a wide, quality program throughout the year, offering plays for everyone. The city orchestra of Seinäjoki performs many concerts in the area and has had many tours in Finland and abroad.

Sport

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Seinäjoki_Areena_20180626.jpg" caption="Seinäjoki Areena}}, a multi-purpose hall in Jouppila, Seinäjoki"] ::

Seinäjoki is home to a big number of sports clubs, such as SJK Seinäjoki, a professional football team that competes in the Finnish Veikkausliiga. SJK is one of the top football teams in Finland and it plays in the brand new OmaSp Stadion. Seinäjoki is also home to Seinäjoki Crocodiles, an American football team.

Seinäjoki Speedway track is a motorcycle speedway venue located on the south east outskirts of the city, off the Routakalliontie road by the quarry. The track held a qualifying round of the Speedway World Team Cup in 1992 and has held the final of the Finnish Individual Speedway Championship on 11 occasions from 1986 to 2020.

Seinäjoen JymyJussit and Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit are the city's men's and women's pesäpallo teams respectively in the Superpesis national league, playing at Seinäjoki Pesäpallo Stadium.

Sights

Lakeuden Risti Church ("The Cross of the Plains")
Alvar Aalto's cultural and administrative centre, comprising the City Hall, library and theatre, among others
The Mannerheim Park
The Southern Ostrobothnia District Museum
The Civil Guard and Lotta Svärd Museum, located at the Seinäjoki Civil Guard House
Törnävä church
The railway exhibition
Mallaskoski brewery

Other points of interest

Törnävä Museum Area
the Suviyö trotting-race
Törnävä summer theatre – Seinäjoki
Jouppi mountain winter sports centre
Seinäjoki City Theatre
Provinssirock
Tangomarkkinat
Vauhtiajot

Education

Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK) is the local higher education institution, that also pursues an international profile.

Notable people

Jukka Hildén, stuntman, The Dudesons
Antti Isotalo, jäger, tribal warrior, Alko's local leader
Katja Kankaanpää, mixed martial artist
Mari Kiviniemi, politician (Prime Minister of Finland 2010—2011)
Paula Koivuniemi, singer
Petri Kontiola, hockey player
Pekka Koskela, speed skater
Jarno Laasala, stuntman, The Dudesons
Hannu Lahtinen, world wrestling champion
Veli Lampi, soccer player
Jarppi Leppälä, stuntman, The Dudesons
Tapio Luoma, Archbishop
Jorma Ollila, former chairman and CEO of the Nokia Corporation
Hannu-Pekka "HP" Parviainen, snowboarder, stuntman, The Dudesons
Pekka Puska, public health researcher and official
Paula Risikko, Member of Parliament and Minister
Arto Saari, skateboarder
Softengine, rock pop band

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Seinäjoki is twinned with:

Sources

Literatures

References

Notes

References

"677/2003: Valtioneuvoston päätös Seinäjoen kaupungin ja Peräseinäjoen kunnan lakkauttamisesta ja uuden kunnan perustamisesta". Finlex.
Niemistö, Elina. (22 September 2022). "Seinäjoen väkiluku ylitti uuden tuhatluvun – muuten maakunnasta ei ole hyvää kerrottavaa". YLE.
Reino Ala-Kulju. (1963). "Seinäjoen kirja". Seinäjoen seurakunta.
"FMI normals 1991-2020". fmi.fi.
(1941). "Suomen tilastollinen vuosikirja 1940". Tilastollinen päätoimisto.
(31 May 2023). "Number of foreign-language speakers grew by nearly 38,000 persons". Statistics Finland.
(2025-04-04). "Number of foreign-language speakers exceeded 600,000 during 2024". Statistics Finland.
"Persons with foreign background". Statistics Finland.
[https://pxdata.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/en/StatFin/StatFin__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11ra.px Key figures on population by region, 1990-2023] Statistics Finland
link. (2023-09-29 ." Nordic Regional Airlines. Retrieved on October 25, 2016.)
"[http://www.fc.fi/info/contact_information.html Contact Information] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-10-05 ." [[Finncomm Airlines]]. Retrieved on 25 February 2010.)
(May 10, 2010). "Kauppa-Joupin asemakaavoitus, Kaupallisten ja sosiaalisten vaikutusten arviointi". Seinäjoen kaupunki.
(December 11, 2018). "Seinäjoella on paras imago". Taloustutkimus (taloustutkimus.fi).
"Seinäjoen Moottorikerho".
"Speedway World Cup".
"Speedway Individual Finnish Championship".
"Twinning and partnership cities". City of Seinäjoki.

::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. ::