Editing Vestnes Municipality

{{short description|Municipality in Møre og Romsdal, Norway}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Vestnes
|native_name            = 
|native_name_lang       = 
|other_name             = 
|former_name            = Væstnes herred
|image_skyline          = Vestnes01.JPG
|image_caption          = View of Vestnes with mountains in the background
|idnumber               = 1535
|county                 = Møre og Romsdal
|district               = Romsdal
|capital                = [[Vestnes (village)|Vestnes]]
|established            = 1 Jan 1838
|preceded               = none
|demonym                = Vestnesing
|language               = Nynorsk
|coatofarms             = Vestnes komm.svg
|webpage                = www.vestnes.kommune.no
|mayor                  = Randi Bergundhaugen
|mayor_party            = [[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2023
|elevation_max_m        = 1467.83
|highest_point_ref      = <ref name="elev">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune |url=https://www.kartverket.no/til-lands/fakta-om-norge/hoyeste-fjelltopp-i-kommunen |publisher=[[Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref>
|area_rank              = 238
|area_total_km2         = 404.59
|area_land_km2          = 399.23
|area_water_km2         = 5.36
|area_water_percent     = 1.3
|population_as_of       = 2024
|population_rank        = 144
|population_total       = 7147
|population_density_km2 = 17.7
|population_increase    = 8
|coordinates            = {{coord|62|35|04|N|07|01|06|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Vestnes''' is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Møre og Romsdal]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. Vestnes is part of the  [[Districts of Norway|traditional district]] of [[Romsdal]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the [[Vestnes (village)|village of Vestnes]]. Other villages in the municipality include [[Vikebukt]], [[Vik, Vestnes|Vik]], [[Vågstranda]], [[Øverås]], [[Fiksdal]], [[Tomrefjord]], and [[Tresfjord (village)|Tresfjord]].

The area is known for nature and outdoor pursuits, and has a long history in [[ship building]] and maritime crafts. The village of [[Vestnes (village)|Vestnes]] (Helland) dates back to early [[medieval]] times, and has 24-hour ferry and [[water taxi]] service with the town of [[Molde (town)|Molde]] to the northeast. The ferry takes about 35-minutes each way.

The {{convert|405|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 238th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Vestnes Municipality is the 144th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 7,147. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|17.7|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 8% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Tresfjord kyrkje.JPG|thumb|left|View of the [[Tresfjord Church]]]]
[[File:Tresfjorden.JPG|thumb|left|View of the [[Tresfjorden]]]]
The municipality of Vestnes was established in the fall of 1838 when the western district of the large [[Veøy Municipality]] was separated to form its own municipality (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). On 1 January 1899, the southern district of the municipality (population: 1,408) was separated from Vestnes to form the new [[Sylte Municipality]].<ref name="Dag">{{Cite web |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |year=1999 |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |publisher=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]] |language=no |isbn=9788253746845}}</ref>

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1964, Vestnes Municipality (population: 3,895) and [[Tresfjord Municipality]], formerly known as ''Sylte Municipality'', (population: 1,319) were merged to form a new, larger Vestnes Municipality.<ref name="Dag" />

On 1 January 2021, the {{convert|53|km2|adj=on}} [[Vågstranda]] area in the northwestern part of [[Rauma Municipality]] was transferred into Vestnes Municipality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-21 |title=Vedtak om grensejustering mellom kommunane Rauma og Vestnes, Møre og Romsdal |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/2019-06-20-773 |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=Lovdata.no |language=no}}</ref>

===Name===
The municipality (originally the [[prestegjeld|parish]]) is named after the old ''[[Vestnes (village)|Vestnes]]'' farm ({{langx|non|Vestnes}}) since the first [[Vestnes Church]] was built there. The first element is {{wikt-lang|non|vestr}} which means "[[west]]". The last element is {{wikt-lang|non|nes}} which means "[[headland]]". Prior to 1889, the name was written ''Vestnæs''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=691LAQAAIAAJ |title=Norske gaardnavne: Romsdals amt |date=1908 |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |edition=13 |location=Kristiania, Norge |page=217 |language=no |authorlink=Oluf Rygh}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 11 April 1980. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Gules]], two [[Pile (heraldry)|piles]] issuant from [[Dexter and sinister|dexter]] [[Or (heraldry)|Or]]"'' ({{langx|no|I raudt to gull spissar mot venstre}}). This means the arms have a red [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is two [[Pile (heraldry)|piles]] (triangles) extending from the left to the right. The charge has a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[Or (heraldry)|Or]] which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The arms are designed to symbolize the geography of the municipality: a [[headland]] between two [[fjord]]s&mdash;the [[Tresfjorden]] and the [[Tomrefjorden]]. The arms were designed by Jarle Skuseth. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Vestnes |access-date=2023-04-15 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vestnes, Møre og Romsdal (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-15-35.html |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref><ref name="snl">{{Cite SNL|Vestnes|Vestnes|2025-04-13|Thorsnæs|Geir|2024-12-20}}</ref>

===Museums===
A [[Viking]] barrow burial was uncovered at Villa Farm near Vestnes in 1894. Now in the [[British Museum]]'s collection in London, the rich grave finds include a pair of oval brooches and other dress accessories, a comb, remnants of a bucket and a box, a bridle-bit, agricultural tools, a bronze bowl, a [[:de:Tafel aus Walknochen|whalebone plaque]], a weaving batten and a [[Sharpening stone|whetstone]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Museum collection |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/x35207}}</ref>

The [[Møre og Romsdal Agricultural Museum]] ({{lang|no|Landbruksmuseet for Møre og Romsdal}}) was established in the municipality at the [[Gjermundnes Farm]] in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landbruksmuseet for Møre og Romsdal, Gjermundnes |url=http://mr.kulturnett.no/institusjon/landbruksmuseet-m%C3%B8re-og-romsdal-gjermundnes |access-date=2018-01-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gjermundnes |url=https://mrfylke.no/content/download/251568/2025819/version/1/file/Informasjonsplakatar%2B-%2BGjermundnes.pdf |access-date=2018-01-19 |website=Møre og Romsdal fylkeskommune |publisher=Vestnes kommune}}</ref>

===Churches===
[[File:Vestneskirke-HH.jpg|left|thumb|Vestnes Church]]
The [[Church of Norway]] has five parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within Vestnes Municipality. It is part of the [[Indre Romsdal prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Møre]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Vestnes'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|Vestnes||[[Vestnes Church]]||[[Vestnes (village)|Vestnes]]||1872
|-
|Fiksdal||[[Fiksdal Church]]||[[Fiksdalen]]||1866
|-
|Tresfjord||[[Tresfjord Church]]||[[Tresfjord (village)|Tresfjord]]||1828
|-
|Vike||[[Vike Church]]||[[Vikebukt]]||1970
|-
|Vågstranda||[[Vågstranda Church]]||[[Vågstranda]]||1870
|}

==Geography==
[[File:Panoramic view over Fiksdal village in autumn - Vestnes kommune, Romsdal, Norway 16-10-2012.jpg|thumb|right|view of [[Fiksdal]] village]]
Vestnes is located in an area of great natural splendour on the southern shores of the vast [[Romsdal Fjord]]. The [[Tresfjorden]] and [[Tomrefjorden]] branch off Romsdal Fjord to the south. Vestnes borders [[Rauma Municipality]] to the east, as well as [[Fjord Municipality]] and [[Ålesund Municipality]] to the south. Across the [[Moldefjorden]] to the north is [[Molde Municipality]]. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|1467.83|m|adj=on}} tall mountain Sandfjellet, a [[tripoint]] on the border of Vestnes Municipality, [[Fjord Municipality]], and [[Rauma Municipality]].<ref name="elev" />

==Government==
Vestnes Municipality is responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[welfare spending|welfare]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s and utilities. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] is [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{Cite SNL|kommunestyre| kommunestyre|2024-12-31|Hansen|Tore|2024-11-25|editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Møre og Romsdal District Court]] and the [[Frostating Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] ({{lang|no|Kommunestyre}}) of Vestnes is made up of 23 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political [[Political party|party]].
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Møre og Romsdal |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/m%C3%B8re%20og%20romsdal/vestnes#seats |access-date=2024-01-16 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = 
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 23
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 6
|Høyre                     = 4
|INP                       = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2019 – Møre og Romsdal |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/m%C3%B8re%20og%20romsdal/vestnes#seats |access-date=2019-10-19 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 23
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|Pensjonistpartiet         = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 2015
|end                       = 2019
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg">{{Cite web |title=Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 23
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 3
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 10
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|Pensjonistpartiet         = 1 
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2011 – Møre og Romsdal |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/m%C3%B8re%20og%20romsdal/vestnes#seats |access-date=2019-10-19 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 23
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Venstre                   = 1
|Høyre                     = 4
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 8
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 27
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 7
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Senterpartiet             = 3
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|otherparty                = Cross-party list
|otherparty_no             = Tverrpolitisk liste
|otherparty_number         = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1995
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 5
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 1
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Venstre                   = 3
|otherparty                = Independent election list for Tomrefjord and Øverås/Nerås<br />
|otherparty_no             = Partipolitisk uavhengig valliste for Tomrefjord og Overås/Nerås
|otherparty_number         = 6
|otherparty1               = Independent election list for the Helland school area<br />
|otherparty_no1            = Partipolitisk uavhengig valliste for Helland skulekrins
|otherparty_number1        = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1991
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 8
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Independent election list for Tomrefjord and Øverås/Nerås<br />
|otherparty_no             = Partipolitisk uavhengig valliste for Tomrefjord og Overås/Nerås
|otherparty_number         = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1987
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 5
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Independent party list for Tomrefjord<br />
|otherparty_no             = Partipolitisk uavhengig liste for Tomrefjord 
|otherparty_number         = 5
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1983
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|otherparty                = Independent party list for Tomrefjord<br />
|otherparty_no             = Partipolitisk uavhengig liste for Tomrefjord 
|otherparty_number         = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1979
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 3
|otherparty                = Independent party list for Tomrefjord<br />
|otherparty_no             = Partipolitisk uavhengig liste for Tomrefjord 
|otherparty_number         = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1975
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Høyre                     = 2
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 7
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 5
|otherparty                = Area list for Tomrefjord and Overås
|otherparty_no             = Krinsliste for Tomrefjord og Overås
|otherparty_number         = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1971
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1967
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 6
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|start                     = 1963
|end                       = 1967
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 33
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 12
|Høyre                     = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 7
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 4
|Local_Lists               = 2
|note = On 1 January 1964, [[Tresfjord Municipality]] became part of Vestnes Municipality.
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1959
|end                       = 1963
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 6
|Local_Lists               = 11
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1955
|end                       = 1959
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 25
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 2
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1951
|end                       = 1955
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 1
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1947
|end                       = 1951
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Local_Lists               = 13
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1945
|end                       = 1947
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 7
|AFS                       = 3
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 8
|Local_Lists               = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Vestnes
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1937
|end                       = 1941* 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |access-date=2020-04-26 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|nynorsk                   = yes
|Total                     = 24
|Borgerlige_Felleslister   = 3
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Local_Lists               = 12
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayor]] ({{langx|nn|ordførar}}) of Vestnes is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ordførarkjedet |url=https://www.vestnes.kommune.no/tenester/administrasjon-og-okonomi/om-kommunen/ordforarkjedet/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=Vestnes kommune |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2024 |editor-last=Fiva |editor-first=Jon H |editor2-last=Sørensen |editor2-first=Rune J. |editor3-last=Vøllo |editor3-first=Reidar |title=Local Candidate Dataset |url=https://www.jon.fiva.no/docs/FivaSorensenVollo2024.pdf}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1838–1841: Henrik Jonsen Remmem<ref>{{Cite news |date=1840-08-08 |title=Amtsformandskabsforhandlinger for Romsdals Amt i Aaret 1840 |url=https://www.nb.no/items/fb6bdda8047699e8897659795d5bacce |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Romsdals Amtstidende |page=2 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="VP">{{Cite book |last=Brovold |first=Ivar |url=https://www.nb.no/items/65ee55b5dbab50a9ae33a8245826320a?page=333 |title=Topografisk-historisk Beskrivelse over Vestnæs prestegjeld |publisher=Romsdals Budstikkes Trykkeri |year=1901 |location=Molde |page=318 |language=no |accessdate=2025-04-13}}</ref>
*1842–1843: Arit Bjermeland<ref name="VP" />
*1844–1845: Nils N. Vestnæs<ref name="VP" />
*1846–1847: Christen N. Stokkeland<ref>{{Cite news |date=1847-07-10 |title=Til valgmænd |url=https://www.nb.no/items/b5dc76533450756ec036eb75599f6d5c |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=[[Correspondenten]] |page=2 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="VP" />
*1847–1859: Erik Aslaksen Sylte<ref>{{Cite news |date=1852-06-12 |title=Romsdals Amtsformandskab |url=https://www.nb.no/items/0d0dd30c8b85e367d77285871610a84f |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Postbudet |page=1 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="VP" />
*1860–1861: Hans Nakken<ref>{{Cite news |date=1860-06-15 |title=Indlandet |url=https://www.nb.no/items/c87ae3305e2b6bf1de9b8d5b44c64fa3 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=[[Aftenbladet]] |page=1 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="VP" />
*1862–1869: Ivar Brovold<ref>{{Cite news |date=1869-06-03 |title=Romsdals Amtsformandskab |url=https://www.nb.no/items/5867651117fedcbb18dc3bb1baad07ef |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Møringen |page=1 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="VP" />
*1870–1873: Walter Scott Dahl ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=1870-06-09 |title=Romsdals Amtsformandskab i 1870 |url=https://www.nb.no/items/73e25e75d4fe346316ad0f10ee5f8f95 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Møringen |page=1 |language=no}}</ref>
*1874–1875: Christofer Domaas<ref>{{Cite news |date=1875-06-03 |title=Referat af Romsdals Amtsformandskabsforhandlinger 1875 |url=https://www.nb.no/items/b18fb48ff43de86cb94d7a6d383121b9 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Aalesunds Blad |page=1 |language=no}}</ref>
*1876–1883: Walter Scott Dahl ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=1877-06-05 |title=Referat af Romsdals Amtsformandskabs Forhandlinger for Aar 1877 |url=https://www.nb.no/items/30073663f7666edd72b2a8ac860ca302 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Aalesunds Blad |page=1 |language=no}}</ref>
*1884–1886: Ivar Brovold<ref>{{Cite news |date=1884-06-11 |title=Referat  af Romsdals Amtsformandskabs Forhandlinger i 1884 |url=https://www.nb.no/items/8520bff959da53f03eee8a40e50cdd87 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Kristiansundsposten |page=1 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="VP" />
*1886–1889: Peder A. Gjelsten<ref>{{Cite news |date=1887-06-09 |title=Romsdals Amtsthing |url=https://www.nb.no/items/7d32edb6fb890d55d5fd5a540d833e39 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=[[Romsdals Budstikke]] |page=1 |language=no}}</ref>
*1889–1891: Mads Ellingsæter<ref>{{Cite news |date=1890-06-03 |title=Referat af Forhandlingerne i Romsdals Amtsthing |url=https://www.nb.no/items/dc52a20c4aaa1c81d322c6ae0c178d13 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=[[Romsdalsposten]] |page=1 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="VP" />
*1891–1895: Peder A. Gjelsten<ref>{{Cite news |date=1895-05-18 |title=Romsdals Amtsthing |url=https://www.nb.no/items/d6216a18a7d77090dcba41b67f1159ca |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Romsdals Tidende |page=2 |language=no}}</ref>
*1896–1898: Martinus P. Sylte<ref>{{Cite news |date=1898-06-08 |title=Amtsthinget |url=https://www.nb.no/items/c27bdf328f3c0c106157dfc55fc484c9 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=Romsdals Tidende |page=1 |language=no}}</ref>
*1899–1901: Mads Ellingsæter<ref name="VP" />
*1902–1910: Rasmuss Stokkeland
*1911–1916: P.L. Legernes
*1917–1919: Nils K. Bårdsnes
*1920–1922: Anton J. Nerem
*1923–1925: Nils K. Bårdsnes
*1926–1928: Olav Eidhammer
*1929–1931: Peder P. Gjelsten
*1932–1934: Olav Eidhammer
*1935–1937: Einar Helland
*1938–1941: Kristian K Frostad ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1941–1945: Olav Rekdal ([[Nasjonal Samling|NS]])
*1945–1951: Kristian K Frostad ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1951–1956: Einar Aas<ref>{{Cite news |date=1951-12-13 |title=Einar Aas ordfører i Vestnes |url=https://www.nb.no/items/272d3cc74b2cbdbc7999f8ae02cc8004?page=1 |work=[[Tidens Krav]] |page=2 |language=no}}</ref>
*1956–1957: Olav Tomren
*1957–1963: Kåre Rekdal ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=1959-12-09 |title=Kåre Rekdal ble gjenvalt til ordfører i Vestnes |url=https://www.nb.no/items/4460e8a3453eb1530e1fadb3a95f4db1?page=7 |work=[[Tidens Krav]] |page=8 |language=no}}</ref>
*1964–1971: Peder B. Hjelvik ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1972–1980: Torgeir Stene ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1980–1980: Ole S. Øveraas ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1981–1985: Georg Balstad ([[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|KrF]])
*1986–1987: Alf Johan Hustad
*1987–1999: Petter Inge Bergheim ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1999–2003: Roald Fiksdal ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2003–2007: [[Knut Magne Flølo]] ([[Progress Party (Norway)|FrP]])
*2007–2015: Øyvind Uren ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2015–2021: [[Geir Inge Lien]] ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2021–present: Randi Bergundhaugen ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-14 |title=Bergundhaugen fortsetter som ordfører i Vestnes |url=https://www.nrk.no/mr/bergundhaugen-fortsetter-som-ordforer-i-vestnes-1.16558306 |access-date=2024-01-16 |work=[[NRK]] |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Economy==
Vestnes is a relatively good agricultural community with emphasis on [[livestock]] and [[Dairy|milk production]]. Vestnes, however, is primarily a manufacturing district. The main industry is the [[ship-building]] industry with a number of different companies located in Vestnes. A total of 63% of industry employment (2004) in Vestnes is part of the ship-building industry. Other that shipbuilding, there are several companies in the food, textile and clothing, wood products, furniture, and metal products industries in Vestnes.<ref name="snl" />

==Media==
The newspaper ''[[Vestnesavisa]]'' is published in Vestnes.<ref name="snl Vestnesavisa">{{Cite SNL|Vestnesavisa|Vestnesavisa|2025-04-13|Een de Amoriza|Silje|2024-11-26|editor2-first=Olav|editor2-last=Garvik}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The [[European route E39]] highway goes through Vestnes on its way from [[Sjøholt]] to [[Molde (town)|Molde]]. The [[European route E136]] highway goes through Vestnes on its way from [[Ålesund (town)|Ålesund]] to [[Dombås]]. The two highways intersect and share part of the route through Vestnes. The new [[Tresfjord Bridge]] carries the E136 highway over the [[Tresfjorden]] rather than the previous roadway that follows the shoreline all the way around the fjord.

==Notable people==
[[File:Fylkesmann Lodve Solholm. FOTO Vidar Myklebust, Fylkesmannen i Møre og Romsdal.jpg|140px|thumb|Lodve Solholm, 2011]]
* [[Peter L. Rypdal]] (1909 in Tresfjord – 1988), a [[Hardanger fiddle|fiddler]] and traditional folk music composer
* [[Jakob Rypdal]] (1926 in Tresfjord – 2015), a triple jumper
* [[Terje Rypdal]] (born 1947), a guitarist and composer who lives in Tresfjord
* [[Lodve Solholm]] (born 1949 in Vestnes), the [[County governor (Norway)|county governor]] of [[Møre og Romsdal]] from 2009 to 2018
* [[Barry Gjerde]] (born 1951 in Vestnes), a Canadian-Japanese voice actor who works in Japan<ref>{{IMDb name|1404097|Barry Gjerde}}. Retrieved 23 March 2021.</ref>
* [[Bjørn Rune Gjelsten]] (born 1956 in Tomrefjord), a powerboat racer and joint owner of [[Wimbledon F.C.]]
* [[Kjetil Rekdal]] (born 1968 in Vestnes), a football manager and a former footballer with 484 club caps and 83 for [[Norway national football team|Norway]] 
* [[Bernt Hulsker]] (born 1977), a retired footballer with over 250 club caps who grew up in Vestnes

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/vestnes Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*{{official site|http://www.vestnes.kommune.no}} {{in lang|no}}

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{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Møre og Romsdal|wikt=Vestnes}}
{{Møre og Romsdal}}
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[[Category:Vestnes| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Møre og Romsdal]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1838]]