Røst: population and statistics
Røst has a population of 471 (2026) across 10.0 km², or 47.1 people per km². It ranks 353 of 357 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −14.5% between 2016 and 2026.
- 471 residents
- 10.0 km²
- 47 people/km²
- 0 m
Key points
Among the 41 municipalities in Nordland - Nordlánnda, Røst ranks No. 40 by population.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 36.2% of the area's business sites.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 50° generates about 944 kWh a year here.
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Nordland - Nordlánnda for “Population density”.
- Number 1 in Nordland - Nordlánnda for “Net migration per 1,000 inhabitants”.
- “Total dwellings (occupied and unoccupied)”: lower than in 98% of municipalities.
- “Active businesses in the Central Coordinating Register”: lower than in 98% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 1,401 football pitches.
- Its population density is 2.5 times the national average.
- The nearest municipality is Værøy, 29.6 km away.
Røst in numbers
All indicators for Røst
Value for the municipality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the municipality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net migration per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 31.8 per 1,000 inh. | 0.1 per 1,000 inh. | 4.1 per 1,000 inh. | ||
| Share of inhabitants aged 65 and over (2026) | 27.4% | 22.9% | 23.7% | ||
| Share of inhabitants under 18 (2026) | 14.2% | 18.4% | 18.7% |
Housing
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total dwellings (occupied and unoccupied) (2026) | 326 | 132,814 | 2,760,619 | ranked 351 of 357 | |
| Share of dwellings built before 1946 (2026) | 19.3% | 11.1% | 16.4% | ||
| Share of dwellings built after 2000 (2026) | 4.7% | 19.9% | 21.8% | ||
| Share of dwellings in detached, semi-detached and terraced houses (2026) | 94.5% | 81.1% | 89.9% | ||
| Share of dwellings in blocks of flats (2026) | 0.9% | 12.9% | 4.4% | ||
| Cabins and holiday homes per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 80.7 per 1,000 inh. | 119.6 per 1,000 inh. | 153.1 per 1,000 inh. |
Economy
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments (2026) | 131 | 27,283 | 656,492 | ranked 347 of 357 | |
| Establishments per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 278.1 per 1,000 inh. | 112.1 per 1,000 inh. | 129.8 per 1,000 inh. | ||
| Median income before tax (gross income) (2024) | 494,400 NOK | – | 500,900 NOK | ||
| Active businesses in the Central Coordinating Register (2026) | 132 per 1,000 inh. | 33,457 per 1,000 inh. | 915,761 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 350 of 357 | |
| Active businesses in the register per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 280.3 per 1,000 inh. | 137.5 per 1,000 inh. | 167.1 per 1,000 inh. | ||
| Businesses registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 19.1 per 1,000 inh. | 10.8 per 1,000 inh. | 11.9 per 1,000 inh. |
Employment
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employed persons as a percentage of the population aged 15–74 (2025) | 72.8% | 67.7% | 67.5% | ||
| Registered unemployed as a share of the population aged 15–74 (2025) | 0.0% | 0.7% | 0.9% |
Transport
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars in own-account transport per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 476 per 1,000 inh. | 565 per 1,000 inh. | 591 per 1,000 inh. | ||
| Share of electric cars among passenger cars in own-account transport (2025) | 21.9% | 21.5% | 19.7% |
Society
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of population with immigrant background (2025) | 10.8% | 14.0% | 15.2% |
Health
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (average of women and men) (2025) | 82.6 years | 82.6 | 82.8 |
Education
| Indicator | Røst | Nordland - Nordlánnda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share with university or university college education (2025) | 18.5% | 30.9% | 27.5% |
Population of Røst over time
Røst had 551 residents in 2016 and 471 in 2026.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 488 |
| 2022 | 469 |
| 2023 | 469 |
| 2024 | 460 |
| 2025 | 458 |
| 2026 | 471 |
Where is Røst?
Business sectors: Røst
Share of each sector in total business sites; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing36.2% ×3.5
- Manufacturing12.6% ×3.7
- Health and social work7.1% ×0.7
- Administrative and support services5.5% ×1.2
- Public administration and defence5.5% ×7.4
- Wholesale and retail trade4.7% ×0.4
- Accommodation and food services4.7% ×1.5
- Professional, scientific and technical4.7% ×0.4
Sunshine and temperatures: Røst
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Røst?
Røst has 471 residents (2026), ranking 353 of 357 municipalities.
How big is Røst?
Røst covers 10.0 km², with a density of 47 people per km².
Is the population of Røst growing?
Between 2016 and 2026, the population of Røst went from 551 to 471, a change of −14.5%.
Where is Røst?
Røst is in Nordland - Nordlánnda. Latitude 67.520, longitude 12.099.
Total dwellings (occupied and unoccupied): what is the figure for Røst?
In Røst, “Total dwellings (occupied and unoccupied)” stands at 326 (2026), ranking 351 of 357 municipalities; the national median is 2,949.
Active businesses in the Central Coordinating Register: what is the figure for Røst?
In Røst, “Active businesses in the Central Coordinating Register” stands at 132 per 1,000 inh. (2026), ranking 350 of 357 municipalities; the national median is 906 per 1,000 inh..
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Røst?
In Røst, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 50° produces about 944 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Røst?
The nearest to Røst are Værøy (30 km), Moskenes (58 km), Flakstad (79 km), Gildeskål (99 km), Bodø (101 km).