Västerås Municipality
161,240 residents
Västerås has many job openings, low tax and a growing population, but many children per adult in preschool and a weaker labour market.
Strongest
- Job openingsrank 41 of 290
- Municipal taxrank 45 of 290
- Population growthrank 58 of 290
Weakest
- Preschoolrank 241 of 290
- Labour marketrank 234 of 290
The quiz and the compare page are in Swedish.
Scores and key figures
How Västerås 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 234 of 290
4.4 Municipal taxrank 45 of 290
3.9 Median incomerank 80 of 290
1.9 Close to naturerank 227 of 290
Safety & family
– Safetynot available
2.7 Schoolsrank 170 of 290
1.7 Preschoolrank 241 of 290
Care
2.8 Home carerank 159 of 290
Jobs & business
1.8 Labour marketrank 234 of 290
4.4 Job openingsrank 41 of 290
3.4 New businessesrank 117 of 290
Growth
4.2 Population growthrank 58 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 .
Origin
34.4% have a foreign background (Sweden 27.6%), 25.2% are foreign-born (Sweden 20.8%), 18.2% 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.
- Syria 3.2% of residents
- Iraq 3% of residents
- Finland 1.9% of residents
- Iran 1.4% of residents
- Somalia 1.3% of residents
- Eritrea 1.1% of residents
- Afghanistan 0.9% of residents
- Türkiye 0.7% of residents
- India 0.7% of residents
- Poland 0.5% of residents
Where in Sweden do people born in Syria 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
74.3% of residents aged 20–64 in Västerås 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 74.3%
- Studying 4.7%
- Not self-sufficient 21%
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
18,937 residents of Västerås came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee. That is 11.7% of residents (Sweden 7.3%).
Main income source of refugees and family members aged 20–65
- Pay 67.7%
- Unemployment benefit 9.1%
- Student aid 4.8%
- Sickness or activity compensation 3.9%
- Parental benefit 2.3%
- Social assistance 7.3%
- No benefit or pension 4.7%
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 Social Democrats became the largest party in Västerås with 30.2% of the vote and 19 of 61 seats. Turnout was 81.4% (Sweden 82.3%).
Seats on the municipal council (61)
- PartyVotevs 2022Seats
- Social Democrats 30.2% +0.1 19
- Moderates 23.7% −1.0 15
- Sweden Democrats 13.4% −1.5 8
- Left Party 9.7% +1.4 6
- Liberals 8.2% +1.7 5
- Christian Democrats 5.4% +0.4 3
- Centre Party 5.1% −1.2 3
- Green Party 3.6% +0.7 2
- Other parties 0.6% 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 Västerås.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Hallstahammar | 21.8% | SEK 2.4m |
| Surahammar | 22.3% | SEK 1.9m |
| Eskilstuna | 22.0% | SEK 3.3m |
| Enköping | 21.3% | SEK 3.6m |
| Sala | 22.3% | SEK 2.4m |
| Strängnäs | 21.7% | SEK 4.0m |
Similar municipalities
The municipalities in Sweden most like Västerås, in the scores for the twelve areas and in size.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Enköping | 21.3% | SEK 3.6m |
| Göteborg | 21.1% | SEK 7.2m |
| Norrtälje | 19.7% | SEK 3.6m |
| Linköping | 20.2% | SEK 4.4m |
| Nyköping | 21.4% | SEK 3.6m |
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 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 20.7% 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 more expensive than the national average (Sweden SEK 3.9 million).
- What is the average age in Västerås?
- The average age in Västerås is 41.7 years (Sweden 42.4 years).
- What share of people in Västerås are self-sufficient?
- 74.3% of residents aged 20–64 in Västerås are self-sufficient, meaning an income of at least three income base amounts a year (Sweden 74.4%).
- How many refugees live in Västerås?
- 18,937 residents of Västerås came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee, 11.7% of residents. 67.7% of those aged 20–65 are in work.
- Which party is largest in Västerås?
- In the 2026 municipal election, the Social Democrats became the largest party in Västerås with 30.2% of the vote and 19 of 61 seats on the municipal council. Turnout was 81.4%.
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