Västerbottens län

Last updated: 2/12-2022

Welcome to Västerbotten, the county that extends from the flat and rocky Bottenvik coast through the agricultural landscape, river valleys and deep forests amidst the county up to the mountain range at the Norwegian border. Västerbotten is the second biggest county in Sweden. The county has 15 municipalities: Bjurholm, Dorotea, Lycksele, Nordmaling, Malå, Norsjö, Robertsfors, Skellefteå, Sorsele, Storuman, Umeå, Vilhelmina, Vindeln, Vännäs and Åsele. About 263,000 residents live here. The Bjurholm municipality is a Swedish municipality with least number of residents, and Umeå is a residence city.

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Municipalities in Västerbottens län

Choose the municipality in Västerbottens län that you want to read more about below.

Housing situation

There are clear differences within the county with respect to housing. Some municipalities have a housing surplus whereas other municipalities have a scarcity of housing both within and outside the regional centre. With an aging population, there is also a need to adapt the accommodation. In Umeå, the population is increasing and it is difficult to get accommodation since the demand is more than the supply. At the same time, Umeå aims to increase the number of residents; hence, a lot of construction is in progress.

Business and employers

There are many different types of businesses in Västerbotten. The municipalities and the region are the biggest employers, with responsibilities in medical care, nursing and transportation. Umeå University, Volvo Lastvagnar and Boliden Mineral are other major employers.

Associations and organisations – civil society

The population of new Swedes and its integration into the community are today important elements of what the county administrative board and the municipalities do. Immigration is the engine of the county's population growth. Together with voluntary organisations, the business community, municipalities and the region, the county administrative board works to receive new arrivals in a dignified, legally certain and humane manner.

Schools and education

There are two universities in Västerbotten. The Umeå University is undefeatedly the biggest with 37,000 students and education in most sectors. Umeå also has Sweden's Agricultural University (SLU) as well as university colleges of design, architecture, business, sports and arts. It is possible to educate onself in wood and technology; fields that belong to the Luleå Technical University.

Medical care

Västerbotten has three hospitals: the Norrland University Hospital in Umeå, Lyckesele General Hospital and Skellefteå General Hospital. The hospitals have various wards, departments and activities. The county has 32 health centres, and every municipality has at least one. Most are run by the region and some are run by private care providers.

Culture and leisure

Västerbotten is rich in culture and there are great opportunities for active leisure. There are interesting natural and cultural environments and famous attractions. The Västerbotten county also houses several natural reserves. Here is Europe's biggest nature reserve Vindelfjällen and here you will find the national river Vindelälven. Västerbotten also has many sports associations which enable people of all ages to participate in sports or keep fit. The county also houses theaters and museums and each municipality has much frequented libraries.