Bardu: population and statistics
Bardu has a population of 4,004 (2026) across 2,514.0 km², or 1.6 people per km². It ranks 203 of 357 municipalities by population. Its population is stable: −0.4% between 2016 and 2026.
- 4,004 residents
- 2,514.0 km²
- 2 people/km²
- 88 m
Key points
Among the 21 municipalities in Troms - Romsa - Tromssa, Bardu ranks No. 8 by population.
Businesses registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants: 5.5 per 1,000 inh. in Bardu, compared with an average of 12.0 per 1,000 inh. in Troms - Romsa - Tromssa and 13.4 per 1,000 inh. nationally.
Employed persons as a percentage of the population aged 15–74: 74.0% in Bardu, compared with an average of 70.1% in Troms - Romsa - Tromssa and 68.2% nationally.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 16.2% of the area's business sites.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 48° generates about 809 kWh a year here.
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Troms - Romsa - Tromssa for “Share of dwellings built after 2000”.
- Number 1 in Troms - Romsa - Tromssa for “Employed persons as a percentage of the population aged 15–74”.
- “Businesses registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Employed persons as a percentage of the population aged 15–74”: higher than in 98% of municipalities.
- “Share of dwellings built before 1946”: lower than in 90% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 352,101 football pitches.
- Its population density is 11.6 times lower than the national average.
Bardu in numbers
All indicators for Bardu
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 | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net migration per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 8.2 per 1,000 inh. | 3.6 per 1,000 inh. | 4.1 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 89 of 351 | |
| Share of inhabitants aged 65 and over (2026) | 21.5% | 20.5% | 23.7% | ranked 250 of 351 | |
| Share of inhabitants under 18 (2026) | 17.8% | 18.0% | 18.7% | ranked 231 of 351 |
Housing
| Indicator | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total dwellings (occupied and unoccupied) (2026) | 2,596 | 94,660 | 2,760,619 | ranked 189 of 357 | |
| Share of dwellings built before 1946 (2026) | 5.8% | 8.3% | 16.4% | ranked 315 of 351 | |
| Share of dwellings built after 2000 (2026) | 33.2% | 24.6% | 21.8% | ranked 51 of 351 | |
| Share of dwellings in detached, semi-detached and terraced houses (2026) | 78.3% | 75.9% | 89.9% | ranked 291 of 351 | |
| Share of dwellings in blocks of flats (2026) | 7.6% | 17.2% | 4.4% | ranked 110 of 351 | |
| Cabins and holiday homes per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 153.1 per 1,000 inh. | 78.1 per 1,000 inh. | 153.1 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 176 of 351 |
Economy
| Indicator | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments (2026) | 372 | 18,618 | 656,492 | ranked 264 of 357 | |
| Establishments per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 92.9 per 1,000 inh. | 108.7 per 1,000 inh. | 129.8 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 321 of 351 | |
| Median income before tax (gross income) (2024) | 555,200 NOK | – | 500,900 NOK | ranked 25 of 351 | |
| Active businesses in the Central Coordinating Register (2026) | 438 per 1,000 inh. | 23,737 per 1,000 inh. | 915,761 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 267 of 357 | |
| Active businesses in the register per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 109.4 per 1,000 inh. | 138.6 per 1,000 inh. | 167.1 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 343 of 351 | |
| Businesses registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 5.5 per 1,000 inh. | 12.0 per 1,000 inh. | 11.9 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 348 of 351 |
Employment
| Indicator | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employed persons as a percentage of the population aged 15–74 (2025) | 74.0% | 70.1% | 67.5% | ranked 7 of 351 | |
| Registered unemployed as a share of the population aged 15–74 (2025) | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.9% | ranked 334 of 351 |
Transport
| Indicator | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars in own-account transport per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 602 per 1,000 inh. | 530 per 1,000 inh. | 591 per 1,000 inh. | ranked 141 of 351 | |
| Share of electric cars among passenger cars in own-account transport (2025) | 15.7% | 20.7% | 19.7% | ranked 241 of 351 |
Society
| Indicator | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of population with immigrant background (2025) | 12.0% | 16.1% | 15.2% | ranked 287 of 351 |
Health
| Indicator | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (average of women and men) (2025) | 82.8 years | 82.8 | 82.8 | ranked 151 of 351 |
Education
| Indicator | Bardu | Troms - Romsa - Tromssa | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share with university or university college education (2025) | 31.0% | 37.2% | 27.5% | ranked 90 of 351 |
Population of Bardu over time
Bardu had 4,019 residents in 2016 and 4,004 in 2026.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,959 |
| 2022 | 3,993 |
| 2023 | 3,949 |
| 2024 | 3,986 |
| 2025 | 3,961 |
| 2026 | 4,004 |
Where is Bardu?
Business sectors: Bardu
Share of each sector in total business sites; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing16.2% ×1.6
- Health and social work12.7% ×1.3
- Construction9.7% ×0.9
- Professional, scientific and technical9.2% ×0.8
- Real estate8.9% ×0.8
- Wholesale and retail trade8.1% ×0.7
- Information and communication4.9% ×1.0
- Arts, entertainment and recreation4.9% ×0.9
Sunshine and temperatures: Bardu
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Bardu?
Bardu has 4,004 residents (2026), ranking 203 of 357 municipalities.
How big is Bardu?
Bardu covers 2,514.0 km², with a density of 2 people per km².
Is the population of Bardu growing?
Between 2016 and 2026, the population of Bardu went from 4,019 to 4,004, a change of −0.4%.
Where is Bardu?
Bardu is in Troms - Romsa - Tromssa. Latitude 68.861, longitude 18.351.
Businesses registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants: what is the figure for Bardu?
In Bardu, “Businesses registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants” stands at 5.5 per 1,000 inh. (2026), ranking 348 of 351 municipalities; the national median is 11.9 per 1,000 inh..
Employed persons as a percentage of the population aged 15–74: what is the figure for Bardu?
In Bardu, “Employed persons as a percentage of the population aged 15–74” stands at 74.0% (2025), ranking 7 of 351 municipalities; the national median is 67.5%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Bardu?
In Bardu, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 48° produces about 809 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Bardu?
The nearest to Bardu are Salangen (19 km), Sørreisa (26 km), Målselv (31 km), Dyrøy (33 km), Gratangen - Rivtták (38 km).