Kommunlotsen / Municipalities

Forshaga Municipality

11,439 residents · 17 km from Karlstad

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About Forshaga

Forshaga is a municipality in Värmland County with 11,439 residents, 17 km from Karlstad. The municipal tax rate is 22.4% (Sweden 20.9%). Median income for people aged 20–64 is SEK 385,900 (Sweden SEK 405,393). The average single-family house costs SEK 1.8 million (Sweden SEK 4.6 million). Unemployment is 2.9% (Sweden 3.1%). The average year 9 merit rating is 210.4 points (Sweden 224.1 points). The average temperature is 7.9 °C, with 14.4 °C in June and 2.6 °C in December.

Key figures

  1. Municipal tax rate 22.4%Sweden: 20.9%
  2. Merit rating, year 9 210.4 pointsSweden: 224.1 points
  3. Eligible for upper secondary school 85%Sweden: 83.9%
  4. Unemployment 2.9%Sweden: 3.1%
  5. Median income, age 20–64 SEK 385,900Sweden: SEK 405,393
  6. Feel safe outdoors at night 89.8%Sweden: 79.1%
  7. Population 11,439Sweden: 199,284
  8. Population change -0.7%Sweden: 0.2%
  9. Children per adult in preschool 4.7 children per adultSweden: 5.1 children per adult
  10. New businesses 10.1 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 11.4 per 1,000 residents
  11. Business bankruptcies 0.5 per 1,000 residents3rd lowestSweden: 1.6 per 1,000 residents
  12. House price SEK 1.8 millionSweden: SEK 4.6 million
  13. Net migration 1.4 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 2.8 per 1,000 residents
  14. Job openings 1.8 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 4 per 1,000 residents
  15. Temperature June 14.4 °CDecember 2.6 °C

Source: Kolada, Statistics Sweden (SCB), Swedish Public Employment Service (Jobtech), SMHI. "Sweden" is Kommunlotsen's own population-weighted average across all municipalities, not an official national figure. The "highest" and "lowest" labels mark the 10 highest and lowest of Sweden's municipalities and are not judgements of quality. Sources and licences: open data page (in Swedish). Last updated 21 September 2026.

Origin

11.2% have a foreign background (Sweden 27.5%), 9.2% are foreign-born (Sweden 20.8%), 3.8% of all residents were born outside Europe (Sweden 11.9%).

The most common countries of birth among foreign-born residents.

Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB). "Foreign background" adds the foreign-born to people born in Sweden to two foreign-born parents. "Born outside Europe" follows the UN's regional classification. Shares and the national figure are Kommunlotsen's own calculations from SCB data.

Housing & leisure

  1. Holiday homes 53.1 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 59.8 per 1,000 residents
  2. Holiday home price SEK 18,159/m²Sweden: SEK 35,616/m²
  3. Living space per resident 49 m²Sweden: 42 m²

Commuting

Bedroom community

Commute out63.6%
Commute in33.5%

Share of employed residents who commute across the municipal border. A "bedroom community" sends at least 60% out and takes in under 50%; a "job hub" is the reverse; a "commuter hub" has at least 50% both ways.

People

  1. Average age 43.7 yearsSweden: 42.4 years
  2. Post-secondary education, age 25–44 41.8%Sweden: 50.7%
  3. Turnout in the municipal election 85%Sweden: 80.4%

Everyday life & connectivity

  1. Electric cars 20.8 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 40.7 per 1,000 residents
  2. Gigabit broadband coverage 100%7th highest (shared)Sweden: 98.5%

Frequently asked questions about Forshaga

How many people live in Forshaga?
Forshaga has 11,439 residents, making it Sweden’s 195th largest municipality out of 290. It is in Värmland County.
What is the municipal tax rate in Forshaga?
The municipal tax rate in Forshaga is 22.4%, compared with 20.9% for Sweden as a whole.
How much does a house cost in Forshaga?
The average single-family house in Forshaga costs SEK 1.8 million, which is cheaper than the national average (Sweden SEK 4.6 million).
How far is Forshaga from Karlstad?
About 17 km in a straight line, to Karlstad, the nearest of Sweden’s 30 largest cities.
What stands out about Forshaga?
Forshaga is 7th highest (shared) in Sweden for gigabit broadband coverage (100%).

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