Västerås Municipality
161,240 residents
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About Västerås
Västerås is a municipality in Västmanland County with 161,240 residents. The municipal tax rate is 20.4% (Sweden 20.9%). Median income for people aged 20–64 is SEK 399,500 (Sweden SEK 405,393). The average single-family house costs SEK 4.2 million (Sweden SEK 4.6 million). Unemployment is 3.5% (Sweden 3.1%). The average year 9 merit rating is 213.7 points (Sweden 224.1 points). The average temperature is 8.4 °C, with 15.3 °C in June and 3 °C in December.
Key figures
- Municipal tax rate 20.4%Sweden: 20.9%
- Merit rating, year 9 213.7 pointsSweden: 224.1 points
- Eligible for upper secondary school 82.7%Sweden: 83.9%
- Unemployment 3.5%Sweden: 3.1%
- Median income, age 20–64 SEK 399,500Sweden: SEK 405,393
- Population 161,2406th highestSweden: 199,284
- Population change 0.4%Sweden: 0.2%
- Children per adult in preschool 5.2 children per adultSweden: 5.1 children per adult
- New businesses 11.1 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 11.4 per 1,000 residents
- Business bankruptcies 1.4 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 1.6 per 1,000 residents
- House price SEK 4.2 millionSweden: SEK 4.6 million
- Net migration 4.4 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 2.8 per 1,000 residents
- Job openings 4.5 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 4 per 1,000 residents
- Temperature June 15.3 °CDecember 3 °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
34.3% have a foreign background (Sweden 27.5%), 25.1% are foreign-born (Sweden 20.8%), 18% of all residents were born outside Europe (Sweden 11.9%).
The most common countries of birth among foreign-born residents.
- Syria 3.1% of residents
- Iraq 3.1% of residents
- Finland 2% of residents
- Iran 1.4% of residents
- Somalia 1.2% of residents
- Eritrea 1% of residents
- Afghanistan 0.8% of residents
- Türkiye 0.7% of residents
- India 0.7% of residents
- Poland 0.5% of 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
- Holiday homes 16 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 59.8 per 1,000 residents
- Holiday home price SEK 32,850/m²Sweden: SEK 35,616/m²
- Living space per resident 41 m²Sweden: 42 m²
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
- Average age 41.7 yearsSweden: 42.4 years
- Post-secondary education, age 25–44 51.5%Sweden: 50.7%
- Turnout in the municipal election 79%Sweden: 80.4%
Everyday life & connectivity
- Electric cars 34.8 per 1,000 residentsSweden: 40.7 per 1,000 residents
- Gigabit broadband coverage 98.9%Sweden: 98.5%
Frequently asked questions about Västerås
- How many people live in Västerås?
- Västerås has 161,240 residents, making it Sweden’s 6th largest municipality out of 290. It is in Västmanland County.
- What is the municipal tax rate in Västerås?
- The municipal tax rate in Västerås is 20.4%, compared with 20.9% for Sweden as a whole.
- How much does a house cost in Västerås?
- The average single-family house in Västerås costs SEK 4.2 million, which is cheaper than the national average (Sweden SEK 4.6 million).
- What is the average age in Västerås?
- The average age in Västerås is 41.7 years (Sweden 42.4 years).
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