NorwayCounty number 39
Vestfold is a county in Norway with 6 municipalities. Vestfold lies along the western Oslofjord, combining coastal towns, farmland and an archipelago used for everyday life and tourism. Viking heritage, maritime industries and modern education provide several historical and economic centres.
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
Viking heritage and the coastal town of Tønsberg
Horten, Holmestrand, Tønsberg, Sandefjord and Larvik form a coastal axis, while Færder includes islands and communities outside Tønsberg. Farmland, forests and smaller settlements lie behind the towns. The sea shapes settlement and recreation. The Oslofjord is also a vulnerable ecosystem, requiring coastal planning to balance nature, transport, economic activity and public shoreline access.
The Oseberg burial mound records power, craftsmanship and international connections in the Viking Age. The coast later supported towns, trade and maritime activity. Vestfold and Telemark merged in 2020 and separated on 1 January 2024. Current Vestfold excludes former Svelvik, which joined Drammen in 2020. Historical comparisons must distinguish current boundaries from earlier divisions.
The Oseberg ship was buried in Slagendalen in 834 with two women and rich grave goods. The find reveals connections far beyond Vestfold; the women’s identities remain unknown.
Vestfold farming produces grain, vegetables and other foods, supported by processing and logistics. Coastal towns host commerce, services and maritime expertise. Tourism and summer visits generate coastal activity, while university technology and maritime programmes connect skills with employment. Limited county area makes the balance between farmland, housing, transport and industry particularly visible.
Vestfold Kollektivtrafikk provides bus and local mobility information. The Oslofjord urban axis connects several municipalities, while islands and summer destinations may require different journeys. Torp Airport lies in Sandefjord municipality. When comparing housing, investigate the complete connection to work or education, as well as distance to the nearest town or airport.
USN’s Campus Vestfold is at Bakkenteigen in Horten municipality, offering technology, maritime studies, teaching and health disciplines among others. Oseberg and other heritage sites reveal craftsmanship, power and contacts in earlier societies. Coastal and cultural landscapes can be read as both nature and historical evidence. Municipal membership helps locate relevant information about education and heritage.
Vestfold’s towns are relatively close together, but housing and services differ between centres, farmland and islands. Coastal visitors and holiday homes increase summer activity without being part of registered population. Population trends and age structures therefore need to be considered alongside local services and seasonal use. Municipality profiles allow comparisons across the six municipalities using consistent evidence.
The proposed Vårt Vestfold – bærekraftig arealplan revises the 2019 land-use policy. Initial political consideration is scheduled for 20 October 2026; consultation depends on that decision.
Landscapes, heritage sites and buildings offer a concrete view of the county’s history. Continue to the guides to these places and their municipalities.
Færder fyr stands on Tristein at the exposed entrance to the Oslofjord. Its tall cast-iron tower is both a working maritime landmark and a visible reminder of the lighthouse service's long connection to the Færder islands.
Gokstadhaugen is the burial mound in Sandefjord where the famous Gokstad ship was excavated. The mound and surrounding landscape bring one of Norway's most important Viking-age discoveries back to its original setting.
Herregården is the timber residence of Larvik's counts, now a museum where aristocratic interiors meet the city's later civic history. The house reveals how one building could move from elite household to town hall, school, theatre and heritage site.
Vestfold · 6 municipalities
Find local figures, history, education, housing and public services. Each municipality’s population figure refers to the stated period.
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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