Sotenäs Municipality
9,036 residents · 61 km from Trollhättan
Sotenäs has many new businesses, protected nature close by and high incomes, but expensive houses and a shrinking population.
Strongest
- New businessesrank 7 of 290
- Close to naturerank 46 of 290
- Median incomerank 48 of 290
Weakest
- House pricesrank 256 of 290
- Population growthrank 225 of 290
The quiz and the compare page are in Swedish.
Scores and key figures
How Sotenäs compares with the other municipalities. The score is based on rank, using the same figures as the rankings: 5 is first place in Sweden and 1 is last, and a high score is always good, for example low tax or low house prices. Tap an area for the figures behind it.
Housing & economy
1.5 House pricesrank 256 of 290
2.9 Municipal taxrank 151 of 290
4.3 Median incomerank 48 of 290
4.4 Close to naturerank 46 of 290
Safety & family
3.8 Safetyrank 75 of 249
3.4 Schoolsrank 115 of 290
4.3 Preschoolrank 49 of 290
Care
3.4 Home carerank 114 of 290
Jobs & business
4.1 Labour marketrank 63 of 290
3.1 Job openingsrank 136 of 290
4.9 New businessesrank 7 of 290
Growth
1.9 Population growthrank 225 of 290
Other
Source: Kolada, Statistics Sweden (SCB), Swedish Public Employment Service (Jobtech), SMHI, Valmyndigheten. "Sweden" is the source's own national figure where there is one (every Kolada measure and SCB's house prices), otherwise Kommunlotsen's own population-weighted average across all municipalities. The bar under each measure shows placement among municipalities, not where the number sits between the lowest and highest value: a full bar is best in Sweden, the middle tick is the median municipality and the diamond shows where Sweden's average places. 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 .
Did you know?
- 2nd highest (shared) in Sweden for average age · 51.7 years
- 12th highest in Sweden for holiday homes per 1,000 residents · 485.4 per 1,000 residents
Origin
13.1% have a foreign background (Sweden 27.6%), 11.1% are foreign-born (Sweden 20.8%), 3.7% of all residents were born outside Europe (Sweden 12%).
The most common countries of birth among foreign-born residents. Select a country to see where in Sweden the group lives.
- Norway 1.1% of residents
- Poland 0.8% of residents
- Finland 0.7% of residents
- Thailand 0.6% of residents
- Lithuania 0.5% of residents
- Syria 0.5% of residents
- Ukraine 0.5% of residents
- Afghanistan 0.4% of residents
- Chile 0.4% of residents
- Denmark 0.3% of residents
Where in Sweden do people born in Norway live? · Origins by country
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.
Self-sufficiency
80.6% of residents aged 20–64 in Sotenäs are self-sufficient (Sweden 74.4%). That means an income of at least three income base amounts a year, about SEK 229,000 in 2024. Full-time students below that level are counted separately.
- Self-sufficient 80.6%
- Studying 1.5%
- Not self-sufficient 17.9%
Share of self-sufficient residents aged 20–64, 2024. "Sweden" is Statistics Sweden's national figure. Groups of fewer than 100 people are not reported. Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB).
Refugees
250 residents of Sotenäs came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee. That is 2.8% of residents (Sweden 7.3%).
Main income source of refugees and family members aged 20–65
- Pay 82.5%
- Unemployment benefit 9%
- Sickness or activity compensation 3%
- Parental benefit 1.8%
- Social assistance 3.6%
Number 2025, work and income source 2024 (age 20–65). "In work" means employed according to Statistics Sweden's register data. "Sweden" is Statistics Sweden's national figure. Groups of fewer than 100 people are not reported. Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB).
Housing & leisure
Commuting
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
Everyday life & connectivity
2026 municipal election
In the municipal council election on 13 September 2026, the Moderates became the largest party in Sotenäs with 34.0% of the vote and 10 of 31 seats. Turnout was 85.5% (Sweden 82.3%).
Seats on the municipal council (31)
- PartyVotevs 2022Seats
- Moderates 34.0% +8.6 10
- Social Democrats 25.1% −2.8 8
- Demokratiresan 11.7% −5.6 4
- Sweden Democrats 8.5% −0.1 3
- Liberals 6.7% −0.5 2
- Centre Party 4.3% −0.6 1
- Green Party 3.7% +1.2 1
- Left Party 3.1% +0.7 1
- Christian Democrats 2.6% −1.2 1
- Other parties 0.4% 0
Final, certified result. Share of valid votes; change since the 2022 election in percentage points. The eight parties in the Riksdag are always shown, other parties when they won seats. "Other parties" is all remaining parties combined. Source: Swedish Election Authority (Valmyndigheten), official record (Swedish).
Municipal finances
Nature
Neighbouring and similar municipalities
Neighbouring municipalities
The municipalities that border Sotenäs.
Similar municipalities
The municipalities in Sweden most like Sotenäs, in the scores for the twelve areas and in size.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Hjo | 22.0% | SEK 2.2m |
| Söderköping | 22.0% | SEK 3.0m |
| Orust | 22.3% | SEK 3.4m |
| Habo | 22.2% | SEK 3.6m |
| Mariestad | 21.3% | SEK 2.4m |
Borders from Wikidata. Distance is a straight line between the municipalities' main towns. Tax is the municipal tax rate and house price the average price of a house.
Frequently asked questions about Sotenäs
- How many people live in Sotenäs?
- Sotenäs has 9,036 residents, making it Sweden’s 230th largest municipality out of 290. It is in Västra Götaland County.
- What is the municipal tax rate in Sotenäs?
- The municipal tax rate in Sotenäs is 22%, compared with 20.7% for Sweden as a whole.
- How much does a house cost in Sotenäs?
- The average single-family house in Sotenäs costs SEK 5 million, which is more expensive than the national average (Sweden SEK 3.9 million).
- How far is Sotenäs from Trollhättan?
- About 61 km in a straight line, to Trollhättan, the nearest of Sweden’s 30 largest cities.
- What share of people in Sotenäs are self-sufficient?
- 80.6% of residents aged 20–64 in Sotenäs are self-sufficient, meaning an income of at least three income base amounts a year (Sweden 74.4%).
- How many refugees live in Sotenäs?
- 250 residents of Sotenäs came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee, 2.8% of residents. 72.8% of those aged 20–65 are in work.
- Which party is largest in Sotenäs?
- In the 2026 municipal election, the Moderates became the largest party in Sotenäs with 34.0% of the vote and 10 of 31 seats on the municipal council. Turnout was 85.5%.
- What stands out about Sotenäs?
- Sotenäs is 2nd highest (shared) in Sweden for average age (51.7 years).
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