Why live in Birkenes?

Birkenes is a scenic municipality with around 5,500 residents. Created through the unification of Birkenes, Vegusdal, and Herefoss, it lies in the heart of Agder, about 30 kilometres from Kristiansand and 13 kilometres from Lillesand. The municipal centre, Birkeland, offers convenient access to Grimstad, Arendal, and Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik. Known for its free-flowing Tovdalselva river, part of the idyllic lake Ogge, and the prominent Storemyrknuten peak, Birkenes is a place where nature, history, and community spirit come together.

Living in Birkenes

Life in Birkenes is shaped by a welcoming local culture and an economy rooted in agriculture, forestry, and a growing industrial sector. The municipality’s small-town feel and central location make it easy to commute to nearby towns for work, shopping, or further education. Birkeland acts as a lively focal point for everyday services, such as shops and cafés, while the rest of the municipality features quieter rural villages.

Places to live in Birkenes

Activities in Birkenes

Nature
Birkenes is crossed by the Tovdalselva river, Southern Norway’s only free-flowing watercourse from mountain to fjord. Salmon fishing draws keen anglers to its banks, while lake Ogge, with its hundreds of islands, is considered a paddling haven. The municipality’s varied terrain includes Storemyrknuten, at 531 metres above sea level, providing ample opportunities for hiking and exploring.

Culture
A strong community spirit underpins much of Birkenes’ cultural life. Events such as the local UKM (Young Culture Meets) rank among the most significant youth gatherings in Agder, and Birkelandsdagene draws residents and visitors with concerts, markets, and a museum day each August. The GB Festival, featuring concerts and a rubber boat race on the Tovdalselva river, adds a lively summer atmosphere to Birkeland.

Sports and outdoor life
Three multi-sport clubs—Birkenes IL, IL Gry, and Herefoss IL—operate across the municipality, offering activities for all ages. Birkenes IL is the largest and has gained national recognition in biathlon. The cultural office collaborates with the orienteering group to organise annual cultural orienteering, placing markers in the local wilderness for participants to find. Summit hikes are also popular; in 2025, boxes will be placed at 28 viewpoints, encouraging residents and visitors to discover Birkenes’ scenic landscapes.

Attractions
Landmarks such as the 1,000-year-old Mollestad Oak and the Myhre Peat Moss Factory museum are highlights of Birkenes’ heritage. Local museum sites—like the Grasham farm and the Iveland and Vegusdal Rural Museum in Vegusdal—present insights into agricultural traditions. In Herefoss, Skrivargarden Nes sits prominently by the fjord, reflecting the municipality’s historic importance as a district court area. In the centre of Birkeland, Tobias’ Jorde serves as a green oasis and popular gathering spot, complete with an outdoor stage.

Study in Birkenes

Families in Birkenes benefit from nearby kindergartens, primary schools, and lower secondary education.

Older students frequently travel to Kristiansand, Arendal, or Grimstad for upper secondary or specialised programmes, taking advantage of strong regional transport links.

Work in Birkenes

While agriculture and forestry remain important, Birkenes has experienced considerable industrial development. Wood processing, fibreglass production, and transport services account for many local jobs, supplemented by various smaller enterprises.

Larger employers include 3B Fibreglass Norway, Uldal AS, and Foss Fabrikker, while the municipality’s strategic location near key road networks also makes commuting to Kristiansand and other hubs a convenient option.