Osterøy

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 1,219 inhabitants as of 1 January 2016.[3]

This article is about the municipality in Vestland, Norway. For the island near Bergen, Norway, see Osterøy (island).
Osterøy kommune
Municipality
View of the village of Haus
View of the village of Haus
Flag of Osterøy kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Osterøy kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Osterøy kommune
Vestland within
Norway
Osterøy within Vestland
Osterøy within Vestland
Coordinates: 60°31′05″N 05°32′29″E
CountryNorway
CountyVestland
DistrictNordhordland
Established1 Jan 1964
 • Preceded byHamre, Hosanger, Haus, and part of Bruvik
Administrative centreLonevåg
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Lars Fjeldstad (Sp)
Area
 • Total255.12 km2 (98.50 sq mi)
 • Land243.70 km2 (94.09 sq mi)
 • Water11.42 km2 (4.41 sq mi)  4.5%
 • Rank#284 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total8,131
 • Rank#129 in Norway
 • Density33.4/km2 (87/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +8.1%
DemonymOstring[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNynorsk
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4630
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

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-square-kilometre (98 sq mi) municipality is the 284th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Osterøy is the 129th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 8,131. The municipality's population density is 33.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (87/sq mi) and its population has increased by 8.1% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

Geography
Osterøy island, located above the fjord in the picture
Further information: Osterøy (island)

The municipality sits on the island of Osterøy, and it is surrounded by several fjords: Osterfjorden-Romarheimsfjorden, Sørfjorden, and Veafjorden. The highest mountain in the municipality is the 868-metre (2,848 ft) tall Høgafjellet on the municipal border with Vaksdal. The Lonevågen fjord cuts in the center of the island, with the village of Lonevåg sitting at the end of the fjord.

Settlements

Osterøy contains six "urban settlements", as defined by Statistics Norway (with populations listed from 1 January 2016): Valestrandfossen (1,218 inhabitants), Lonevåg (875 inhabitants), Hausvik (655 inhabitants), Haugo (617 inhabitants), Fotlandsvåg (320 inhabitants), and Hamre (217 inhabitants).[3] 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:[6]

  • all of Haus municipality that was located on Osterøy island (population: 2,327)
  • the Bruvikbygda area of Bruvik municipality that was located on Osterøy island (population: 409)
  • all of Hosanger municipality that was located on Osterøy island (population: 1,616)
  • all of Hamre municipality that was located on Osterøy island (population: 1,166)

Name

The municipality is named after the island of Osterøy (Old Norse: Ostr) 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 óstr which means "east". Another interpretation is that it is derived from the word auka 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 ey which means "island".[7][8][9]

Culture
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" (Norwegian: I sølv tre blå økser med blada ned, 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.[10][11][12][13]

Churches

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

Churches in Osterøy
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
BruvikBruvik ChurchBruvik1867
GjerstadGjerstad ChurchGjerstad1870
HamreHamre ChurchHamre1622
HausHaus ChurchHausvik1874
HosangerHosanger ChurchHosanger1796

Government

All municipalities in Norway are 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.[14] The municipality falls under the Hordaland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Osterøy is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Osterøy kommunestyre 2020–2023 [15]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 7
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Osterøy kommunestyre 2016–2019 [16]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 6
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet Dei Grøne) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Osterøy kommunestyre 2012–2015 [17]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Osterøy kommunestyre 2008–2011 [16]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:27
Osterøy kommunestyre 2004–2007 [16]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Cross-Party Common List (Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste)2
Total number of members:27
Osterøy kommunestyre 2000–2003 [16]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Cross-Party Common List (Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste)9
 Osterøy Youth List (Osterøy ungdomsliste)1
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1996–1999 [18]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Cross-Party Common List (Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste)9
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1992–1995 [19]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Cross-Party Common List (Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste)10
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1988–1991 [20]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Cross-Party Common List (Tverrpolitisk Samlingsliste)8
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1984–1987 [21]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 12
  Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1980–1983 [22]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1976–1979 [23]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 7
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1972–1975 [24]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1968–1971 [25]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:35
Osterøy kommunestyre 1964–1967 [26]  
Party Name (in Nynorsk)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høgre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:35

Mayors

The mayors of Osterøy (incomplete list):

  • 2003-2015: Kari Foseid Aakre (Ap)
  • 2015-2019: Jarle Skeidsvoll (KrF)
  • 2019–present: Lars Fjeldstad (Sp)

Population
Historical population
Year19641970198019902000201020202023
Pop.5,5185,6606,5797,0167,0067,4128,0988,152
±% p.a.—    +0.42%+1.52%+0.65%−0.01%+0.56%+0.89%+0.22%
Source: Statistics Norway[27] and Norwegian Historical Data Centre[28]

Transport
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 metres (1,952 ft), the third longest suspension bridge main span in Norway, for a total length of 917 metres (3,009 ft). 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.

Notable people
Sylvelin Vatle

Sport

See also

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Statistisk sentralbyrå (1 January 2016). "Urban settlements. Population and area, by municipality".
  4. 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. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  7. "austur". ensk-íslensk orðabók.
  8. "eyja". ensk-íslensk orðabók.
  9. Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (26 January 2023). "Osterøy". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  10. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  11. "Osteroy, Hordaland (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  12. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 20 December 1985. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  13. "Osterøy kommune, våpen". Digitalarkivet (in Norwegian). Arkivverket. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  14. Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  15. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Vestland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  16. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  17. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Hordaland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  20. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  21. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  22. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  27. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  28. Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet. "Censuses in the Norwegian Historical Data Archive (NHDC)".
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