Umeå Municipality
135,273 residents
Umeå has a strong labour market, strong school results and a growing population, but high tax and expensive houses.
Strongest
- Labour marketrank 17 of 290
- Schoolsrank 18 of 290
- Population growthrank 21 of 290
Weakest
- Municipal taxrank 253 of 290
- House pricesrank 232 of 290
The quiz and the compare page are in Swedish.
Scores and key figures
How Umeå 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
1.8 House pricesrank 232 of 290
1.5 Municipal taxrank 253 of 290
3.3 Median incomerank 127 of 290
1.9 Close to naturerank 227 of 290
Safety & family
3.9 Safetyrank 70 of 249
4.8 Schoolsrank 18 of 290
2.7 Preschoolrank 166 of 290
Care
3.0 Home carerank 148 of 290
Jobs & business
4.8 Labour marketrank 17 of 290
4.5 Job openingsrank 39 of 290
3.6 New businessesrank 101 of 290
Growth
4.7 Population growthrank 21 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?
- 6th lowest in Sweden for share who commute out · 8.3%
Origin
17.1% have a foreign background (Sweden 27.6%), 13.9% are foreign-born (Sweden 20.8%), 9% 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.
- Finland 1.5% of residents
- Somalia 0.6% of residents
- Iran 0.6% of residents
- Iraq 0.6% of residents
- Afghanistan 0.6% of residents
- Syria 0.6% of residents
- Eritrea 0.5% of residents
- Germany 0.5% of residents
- India 0.4% of residents
- China 0.4% of residents
Where in Sweden do people born in Finland 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
71.8% of residents aged 20–64 in Umeå 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 71.8%
- Studying 12.6%
- Not self-sufficient 15.5%
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
5,830 residents of Umeå came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee. That is 4.3% of residents (Sweden 7.3%).
Main income source of refugees and family members aged 20–65
- Pay 71.6%
- Unemployment benefit 3.5%
- Student aid 10.1%
- Sickness or activity compensation 3.7%
- Parental benefit 1.4%
- Social assistance 6.4%
- No benefit or pension 3.3%
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
Commute out: 6th lowest
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 Social Democrats became the largest party in Umeå with 32.5% of the vote and 21 of 65 seats. Turnout was 84.8% (Sweden 82.3%).
Seats on the municipal council (65)
- PartyVotevs 2022Seats
- Social Democrats 32.5% −4.0 21
- Moderates 20.5% +2.8 13
- Left Party 12.8% −0.5 8
- Green Party 9.2% +2.8 6
- Centre Party 6.9% −1.0 5
- Sweden Democrats 6.1% −0.3 4
- Liberals 4.0% +0.3 3
- Christian Democrats 3.9% +0.5 3
- Demokratiska Sekulära Socialister Arbetarpartiet 3.6% +0.1 2
- Other parties 0.5% 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 Umeå.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Vännäs | 23.4% | SEK 2.5m |
| Nordmaling | 23.3% | SEK 1.4m |
| Vindeln | 23.4% | SEK 1.2m |
| Robertsfors | 23.1% | SEK 1.4m |
| Skellefteå | 22.6% | SEK 2.4m |
Similar municipalities
The municipalities in Sweden most like Umeå, in the scores for the twelve areas and in size.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Luleå | 22.5% | SEK 3.4m |
| Östersund | 22.0% | SEK 3.6m |
| Falun | 22.1% | SEK 3.4m |
| Åre | 22.2% | SEK 3.7m |
| Varberg | 20.3% | SEK 4.6m |
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 Umeå
- How many people live in Umeå?
- Umeå has 135,273 residents, making it Sweden’s 11th largest municipality out of 290. It is in Västerbotten County.
- What is the municipal tax rate in Umeå?
- The municipal tax rate in Umeå is 22.8%, compared with 20.7% for Sweden as a whole.
- How much does a house cost in Umeå?
- The average single-family house in Umeå costs SEK 4.2 million, which is more expensive than the national average (Sweden SEK 3.9 million).
- What is the average age in Umeå?
- The average age in Umeå is 40.1 years (Sweden 42.4 years).
- What share of people in Umeå are self-sufficient?
- 71.8% of residents aged 20–64 in Umeå are self-sufficient, meaning an income of at least three income base amounts a year (Sweden 74.4%).
- How many refugees live in Umeå?
- 5,830 residents of Umeå came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee, 4.3% of residents. 70.9% of those aged 20–65 are in work.
- Which party is largest in Umeå?
- In the 2026 municipal election, the Social Democrats became the largest party in Umeå with 32.5% of the vote and 21 of 65 seats on the municipal council. Turnout was 84.8%.
- What stands out about Umeå?
- Umeå is 6th lowest in Sweden for share who commute out (8.3%).
More: