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Froland Municipality

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Froland Municipality
Froland kommune
Municipality
View of the Froland Church
View of the Froland Church
Flag of Froland Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Froland Municipality
Coat of arms
Agder within Norway
Agder within Norway
Froland within Agder
Froland within Agder
Coordinates: 58°34′59″N 08°34′20″E / 58.58306°N 8.57222°E / 58.58306; 8.57222
CountryNorway
CountyAgder
DistrictØstre Agder
Established1850
 • Preceded byØyestad Municipality
Administrative centreBlakstad
Government
 • Mayor (2023)Inger-Lene Håland (Ap)
Area
 • Total
644.54 km2 (248.86 sq mi)
 • Land601.01 km2 (232.05 sq mi)
 • Water43.53 km2 (16.81 sq mi)  6.8%
 • Rank#176 in Norway
Highest elevation
[1]
658.12 m (2,159.2 ft)
Population
 (2026)
 • Total
6,299
 • Rank#155 in Norway
 • Density10.5/km2 (27/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +12.1%
DemonymFrolending[2]
Official language
[3]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-4214[4]
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

Froland is a municipality in Agder county, Norway. The 644.54-square-kilometre (248.86 sq mi) municipality has existed since 1850. It is part of the traditional region of Østre Agder. The administrative center is the village of Blakstad, which along with Osedalen form the main population center of the municipality. Other villages in Froland include Bøylefoss, Bøylestad, Froland, Frolands verk, Heldalsmo, Hinnebu, Hynnekleiv, Jomås, Lauvrak, Libru, Løvjomås, Mjåvatn, Mjølhus, Mykland, and Risdal.[5]

The 644.54-square-kilometre (248.86 sq mi) municipality is the 176th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Froland Municipality is the 155th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 6,299. The municipality's population density is 10.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (27/sq mi) and its population has increased by 12.1% over the previous 10-year period.[6][7]

General information

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BERJAYA
Landscape of Froland
BERJAYA
Dam near the Bøylefoss power station
BERJAYA
Frolands verk museum

The municipality of Froland was established in 1850 when Øyestad Municipality was divided into two: the western district (population: 1,976) became the new Froland Municipality and the eastern district (population: 5,215) continued as a smaller Øyestad Municipality.[8]

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.[9][10] On 1 January 1967, the following areas were merged to form an enlarged Froland Municipality:[8]

On 1 January 1968, the Flateland area of neighboring Åmli Municipality (population: 6) was transferred to Froland Municipality.[8] On 1 January 1970, the two uninhabited areas of Neset and Råbudal were separated from Froland Municipality and transferred to neighboring Birkenes Municipality. Then on 1 January 1979, the uninhabited Landheia area was transferred from Froland Municipality to Birkenes Municipality. On 1 January 1991, the Dalen area in Birkenes Municipality (population: 60) was transferred from Birkenes Municipality to Froland Municipality.[8]

Name

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The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Froland farm (Old Norse: Fróðaland) since the first Froland Church was built there. The first element is the genitive case of the male name Fróði. The last element is land which means "land" or "district".[11]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 17 January 1986. The official blazon is "Vert, a squirrel sejant erect argent" (Norwegian: I grønt et sølv ekorn). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is a squirrel sitting on its haunches with its front paws raised. The squirrel 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 green color in the field and the squirrel was chosen as a symbol for the forests and wildlife in the municipality. The arms were designed by David Rike. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[12][13][14]

Churches

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The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within Froland Municipality. It is part of the Arendal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

Churches in Froland Municipality
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
FrolandFroland ChurchFroland1718
Mykland ChurchMykland1832

History

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The iron production facility, Frolands verk, was founded in 1763 and continued in production through 1867. After that the facility became a sawmill. Today the main building from 1791 is a historically protected building, and the old stables are used as a cultural center.

Geography

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The municipality is bordered on the north by Åmli Municipality; on the east by Tvedestrand Municipality; on the south by Arendal Municipality, Grimstad Municipality, and Birkenes Municipality; and on the west by Evje og Hornnes Municipality and Bygland Municipality.

The large rivers Nidelva and Tovdalselva both run through the municipality. There are also many lakes in Froland including Homstølvatn, Nelaug, Nystølfjorden, and Uldalsåna. The highest point in the municipality is the 658.12-metre (2,159.2 ft) tall mountain Befjell.[1]

Government

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Froland 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.[15] The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Agder District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Froland Municipality is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Froland kommunestyre 2023–2027 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  The Conservatives (Konservativt) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Total number of members:19
Froland kommunestyre 2019–2023 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  The Christians Party (Partiet De Kristne) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
Total number of members:19
Froland kommunestyre 2015–2019 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
Total number of members:19
Froland kommunestyre 2011–2015 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:19
Froland kommunestyre 2007–2011 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
Total number of members:17
Froland kommunestyre 2003–2007 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Total number of members:17
Froland kommunestyre 1999–2003 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:21
Froland kommunestyre 1995–1999 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1991–1995 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1987–1991 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1983–1987 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1979–1983 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1975–1979 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1971–1975 [26]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1967–1971 [27]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:25
Froland kommunestyre 1963–1967 [28]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:17
Froland herredsstyre 1959–1963 [29]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:17
Froland herredsstyre 1955–1959 [30]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:17
Froland herredsstyre 1951–1955 [31]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:16
Froland herredsstyre 1947–1951 [32]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:16
Froland herredsstyre 1945–1947 [33]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:16
Froland herredsstyre 1937–1941* [34]  
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:16
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.

Mayors

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The mayor (Norwegian: ordfører) of Froland Municipality is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. The following people have held this position:[35][36]

  • 1850–1851: Simon O. Evenstad
  • 1851–1853: Niels N. Træsnes
  • 1853–1857: Lorentz Ditlev Krog
  • 1857–1858: Jørgen O. Berget
  • 1858–1861: Kittel K. Dale
  • 1861–1865: Gjeruld K. Haugaas
  • 1865–1868: Kittel K. Dale
  • 1868–1870: Thor T. Solem
  • 1870–1870: Jørgen O. Berget
  • 1870–1871: Thor T. Solem
  • 1871–1875: Osuld T. Homstøl
  • 1875–1879: Erik G. Espeland
  • 1879–1882: Jacob G. Hurv
  • 1882–1885: Osmund S. Løvrak
  • 1885–1887: Osuld T. Homstøl
  • 1887–1889: Gunder S. Kalhovd
  • 1889–1893: Jens T. Hurv
  • 1893–1897: Gisle N. Espeland
  • 1897–1911: Rasmus O. Sparsaas
  • 1911–1914: Anders Dalen
  • 1914–1920: Anton Hellum
  • 1920–1929: Torjus Homstøl
  • 1929–1932: Eivind Setane
  • 1932–1945: Nils G. Espeland
  • 1945–1945: Kristoffer Møllerløkken
  • 1945–1946: Oskar Moripen
  • 1946–1947: Steffen Ravnåsen
  • 1947–1968: Osulv Kleivane
  • 1968–1975: Lars Mjåvatn (Ap)
  • 1975–1979: Erik Usterud (Sp)
  • 1979–1983: Ståle Haraldstad (Sp)
  • 1983–2003: Aadne K. Mykland (Ap)
  • 2003–2015: Sigmund Pedersen (Sp)
  • 2015–2023: Ove Gundersen (KrF)
  • 2023–present: Inger-Lene Håland (Ap)[37]

Transportation

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The Arendalsbanen railway which runs from Nelaug to Arendal connects Froland Municipality and Arendal Municipality to the railway system in Norway. Blakstad Station is in the municipal centre of Blakstad, Froland Station is located in the village of Froland, and Bøylestad Station is in the village of Bøylestad.

There are also several highways in the municipality including the Norwegian National Road 41, Norwegian County Road 408, and Norwegian County Road 413.

Media

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The newspaper Frolendingen is published in Froland.[38]

Notable people

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. 16 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  3. ↑ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  4. ↑ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (9 January 2024). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon.
  5. ↑ Nilsen, Jan Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir; Lauritzen, Per Roger, eds. (22 May 2026). "Froland". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  7. ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  8. 1 2 3 4 Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  9. ↑ Grepstad, Jon, ed. (25 March 2025). "Nikolai Schei". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  10. ↑ Hansen, Tore; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (27 May 2024). "kommuneinndelingen i Norge". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  11. ↑ Rygh, Oluf (1905). Norske gaardnavne: Nedenes amt (in Norwegian) (8 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 77.
  12. ↑ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Froland, Aust-Agder (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 17 January 1986. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  15. ↑ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (25 November 2024). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  16. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Agder". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Agder". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  19. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Aust-Agder". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  20. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  21. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  22. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  23. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  24. ↑ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  25. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  26. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  27. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  28. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  29. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  30. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  31. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  32. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  33. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  34. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  35. ↑ Fiva, Jon H; Sørensen, Rune J.; Vøllo, Reidar, eds. (2024). "Local Candidate Dataset" (PDF).
  36. ↑ Dannevig, Birger (1979). Froland. 1 : Bygd og samfunn (in Norwegian). Froland: Froland kommune. pp. 519–520. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  37. ↑ "Første kvinnelige ordfører i Froland". NRK (in Norwegian). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  38. ↑ Smith-Meyer, Trond; Breivik Pettersen, Øyvind; Kalleberg, Johannes Enli; Garvik, Olav, eds. (12 December 2025). "Frolendingen (avis)". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  39. ↑ "Abel, Niels Henrik" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 01 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 39.
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