NorwayCounty number 11
Rogaland is a county in Norway with 23 municipalities. Rogaland connects Jæren’s farmland with Ryfylke’s fjords, Haugalandet’s coastal towns and the energy communities around Stavanger. Shipping, agriculture and petroleum history explain much of its modern role.
Content updated:
SSB · 2026
See how many people live in the county, how many homes it has, and which municipalities have the most residents. Figures are from Statistics Norway (SSB).
Ranked by municipal population, rather than the size of cities or urban settlements. A municipality may contain several settlements and extensive rural areas.
2026 · SSB
Choose a municipality to open its profile. Small island municipalities are marked with a dot.
Known for
Preikestolen and the open landscapes of Jæren
Rogaland lies in southwestern Norway. Jæren has open farmland and beaches, while Ryfylke has deep fjords and mountains. Dalane in the south and Haugalandet in the north have distinct coastal and industrial communities. Stavanger and Sandnes form a continuous urban area on Nord-Jæren; Haugesund is an important northern centre. Contrasts between farming districts, islands and cities mean a county average tells only part of the story.
Coastal trade, fishing and agriculture shaped Rogaland long before petroleum. The 1969 Ekofisk discovery in the North Sea and the start of production in 1971 opened a new phase of skills and jobs. The Stavanger area became a major centre for Norway’s petroleum industry. Rogaland did not merge with another county in the 2020 regional reform. It combines older local identities with an international energy economy.
The county’s business strategy builds on strengths in food, tourism and experiences, energy and maritime activity. Its December 2025 revision emphasises skills and economic adaptation.
Rogaland’s business strategy prioritises food, tourism and experiences, and energy and maritime activity. Agriculture and processing on Jæren sit alongside offshore technology and marine supply industries. Transition therefore involves new energy solutions and developing existing expertise. Vocational education, apprenticeships and higher education connect these industries with the future labour market.
Kolumbus provides information on buses, express boats and ferries in Rogaland. Connections between Stavanger, Sandnes and neighbouring municipalities support commuting on Nord-Jæren, while boats link islands and fjord communities with larger centres. The county authority manages county roads and school transport. Travel needs differ between Jæren and Ryfylke; compare the complete journey and last departure when assessing places to live.
The University of Stavanger combines research, education and its Museum of Archaeology. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has a campus in Haugesund. These institutions provide routes into technology, health, teacher education and regional history. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum explores petroleum history, while agricultural and maritime heritage help explain why Rogaland’s identity extends beyond energy alone.
Housing, work and services need local assessment in Rogaland. Nord-Jæren has an interconnected labour market, while island municipalities and inland communities have different distances and industries. Farmland protection matters where food production meets urban growth; nature and accessible transport matter in fjord and coastal areas. Municipality profiles make these differences comparable using consistent statistical measures and explicit reference years.
The nature and climate transition plan for 2026–2050 was adopted on 16 June 2026 with an action programme. It coordinates work on climate risks, biodiversity and emission reductions.
Landscapes, heritage sites and buildings offer a concrete view of the county’s history. Continue to the guides to these places and their municipalities.
Avaldsnes kirke, also called Olavskirken, stands on Karmøy within an important historic royal place. Its medieval stone walls and later restorations connect kingship, pilgrimage and the maritime route through Karmsundet.
Dokken friluftsmuseum on Hasseløy preserves the small-scale world of Haugesund's herring industry. Houses, workshops and a former shop show how maritime employment shaped domestic life as well as the waterfront economy.
Gamle Stavanger is a historic wooden neighbourhood where small houses and cobbled streets bring everyday urban history into view. Its significance lies in the preservation of a whole inhabited district, alongside unusually intact individual homes.
Rogaland · 23 municipalities
Find local figures, history, education, housing and public services. Each municipality’s population figure refers to the stated period.
Residents · Q2 2026 · SSB
Norway has three elected levels of government: the state, county authorities and municipalities. A county is both a geographical area and the territory of an elected regional authority.
Responsibilities include upper secondary education, county roads, public transport, public dental services and regional development. These tasks connect municipalities.
Local responsibilities include primary and lower secondary schools, kindergartens, health and care services and land-use planning. Kommuneportal explains these at municipal level.
The County Governor represents the state regionally. This is a separate institution from the elected county authority. Oslo has both municipal and county responsibilities.
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Registry date: · Content updated:
A county total is shown only when every municipality has comparable figures from the same source and period. Land area excludes freshwater and sea. Density uses population and land area from the same year.
The same municipality membership is used; changes across a documented geographical break are withheld.
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Creation and publication dates are not documented.
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