Live in Bodø

Bodø Municipality is located north of the Saltfjellet mountains and serves as the county capital of Nordland. It includes the city of Bodø as well as surrounding villages, islands, and coastal landscapes with mountains and islets¹. With a population of around 53,700 (2025), Bodø is one of the fastest-growing areas in Northern Norway¹.

Nature offers spectacular experiences in Bodø. The municipality is home to Saltstraumen, one of the strongest tidal currents in the world, attracting both sport fishers and nature enthusiasts¹. Bodø also offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, with mountain areas, beaches, and hiking trails available all year round¹.

The cultural scene in Bodø is vibrant and diverse, with festivals, concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions taking place throughout the year². Events like the Nordland Music Festival and Parkenfestivalen attract both locals and visitors. The region also offers experiences tied to the northern lights, midnight sun, boating, local cuisine, beaches, and cultural activities in the surrounding archipelago².

Bodø offers a wide and varied range of options for education and upbringing. The municipality operates both kindergartens and primary schools, while upper secondary education is provided by Nordland County³. Bodø is also home to Nord University, which has its main campus in the city. The university offers programmes in fields such as teacher education, nursing, economics, social sciences, aquaculture, and technology⁴. This makes Bodø a centre for knowledge and education in Northern Norway, where young people have broad opportunities to study and develop their skills locally.

The municipality has a diverse economy, with strong sectors in public services, education, healthcare, trade, and transportation. The Armed Forces have long been an integral part of the local community, while aquaculture, technology, culture, and tourism have emerged as key growth areas¹.