Fauske, in Lule Sámi Fuossko, is a municipality in Salten in Nordland. Fauske county was established on 1 January 1905 by being separated from Skjerstad county. The municipal center Fauske has city status and the town has 6,386 inhabitants as of 1 January 2020.
Fauske boasts a mix of natural and historical sites. Key attractions
include:
Fauske Church, a wooden structure from 1867 with marble
accents.
Sulitjelma Mining Museum, detailing the area's copper mining
history with preserved buildings and tours.
Marble quarries, offering
guided visits to see extraction of the famous pink stone.
Svartisen
Glacier, Norway's second-largest, accessible via hikes or boat trips
from nearby areas.
Skjerstad Fjord, ideal for boating and wildlife
viewing, including seals and seabirds.
Nervatnet Lake, for fishing
and picnics.
Sjunkhatten National Park, focused on child-friendly
adventures with fairy-tale themes and easy paths.
The Nordland
Museum's historic section in town features exhibits on local life and
industry.
Fauske is a municipality and town in Nordland county, northern Norway, situated within the traditional Salten district. The administrative center is the town of Fauske, located on the eastern shore of the Skjerstad Fjord, approximately 60 kilometers east of Bodø and 40 kilometers west of the Swedish border. The municipality covers an area of about 1,197 square kilometers, encompassing a diverse landscape of fjords, mountains, forests, lakes (such as Nervatnet adjacent to the town), and parts of the Svartisen glacier area. It lies inside the Arctic Circle, influencing its climate and daylight patterns. The terrain includes coastal areas along the fjord, inland valleys, and high plateaus, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,000 meters in mountainous regions. Fauske is strategically positioned as a gateway to the interior of Nordland, with proximity to national parks and natural reserves.
Fauske's history dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of Sami indigenous settlements and early Norse farming communities. The name "Fauske" derives from the Old Norse "Fauskar," meaning "old and rotten tree," referring to an ancient farm where the first church was built in 1867. The area was part of the larger Skjerstad municipality until 1905, when Fauske was established as a separate municipality following Norway's independence from Sweden. Marble quarrying began in the late 19th century, boosting economic growth and leading to the development of related industries. Copper mining in the Sulitjelma district, part of Fauske, started in the 1860s and became one of Norway's largest mining operations until closure in the 1990s. The Nordlandsbanen railway arrived in the early 20th century, enhancing connectivity. During World War II, the region saw German occupation and forced labor camps. Post-war, Fauske grew as an industrial hub, with the town officially designated in 1998. Recent efforts focus on reviving mining and preserving cultural heritage, including Sami traditions.
As of 2023, Fauske municipality had a population of approximately 9,477, with the town itself home to 6,252 residents, reflecting a density of about 1,347 inhabitants per square kilometer in the urban area. By 2025, the population is estimated to remain stable around 9,500, aligning with Norway's overall growth trends but influenced by rural-urban migration and aging demographics. The median age is around 40 years, similar to national averages. The population is predominantly ethnic Norwegian, with a notable Sami minority, reflecting Nordland's indigenous heritage. Immigrants and their descendants make up about 10-15% of residents, primarily from Europe and Asia, contributing to diversity. Residents are known as "Fauskeværinger." The official language is Bokmål Norwegian, with Sami influences in cultural contexts.
Fauske's economy is rooted in natural resources and industry, with marble quarrying as a cornerstone. The region is renowned for its pink "Fauske marble," used in construction and exported globally, supporting processing plants and related manufacturing. Mining has seen a resurgence, particularly in Sulitjelma, where Nye Sulitjelma Gruver focuses on copper and other minerals. In November 2024, the company was acquired by Canadian firm Blue Moon Metals, merging with Nussir ASA, though operations were paused in June 2025 due to regulatory or market issues. Hydropower from local rivers powers industries, while forestry and agriculture (dairy and livestock) play smaller roles. Tourism is growing, driven by natural attractions, and services employ a significant portion of the workforce. Proximity to Bodø supports logistics and trade. Unemployment is low, around 2-3%, but the economy faces challenges from fluctuating commodity prices and environmental regulations.
Fauske's culture blends Norwegian, Sami, and industrial heritage. Sami traditions, including joik singing and reindeer herding, are prominent, with festivals celebrating indigenous history. The Nordland Museum's branch in Fauske showcases local artifacts, mining history, and marble art. Annual events include the Fauske Days festival, featuring music, crafts, and markets. The town hosts art exhibitions utilizing local marble for sculptures, and there's a vibrant community theater scene. Notable figures include athletes and artists tied to the region's rugged landscape. Literature and folklore draw from Arctic myths, with modern influences from immigration adding diversity to cuisine and events.
Education in Fauske follows Norway's national system, with free compulsory schooling from ages 6 to 16. The municipality operates several primary and lower secondary schools, serving around 1,000 pupils. Fauske Upper Secondary School, located in the town, offers vocational and academic programs, including specializations in mining, technology, and natural sciences. Adult education and Sami language courses are available. Higher education is accessed via nearby institutions in Bodø, such as Nord University, with focuses on Arctic studies and engineering. Kindergartens are widespread, emphasizing outdoor learning in the natural environment.
Sports in Fauske emphasize outdoor activities suited to the Arctic setting. FK Fauske/Sprint is the local football club, competing in regional leagues. Winter sports like cross-country skiing, biathlon, and snowmobiling are popular, with trails in surrounding mountains. Summer pursuits include hiking, fishing in fjords and lakes, and kayaking. The Arctic Race of Norway cycling event passed through Fauske in 2025, highlighting the region with stages featuring local riders like Sebastian Veslum. Recreation centers offer indoor facilities for handball and swimming. Proximity to Sjunkhatten National Park, designed for children, promotes family-oriented nature experiences with accessible trails and educational programs.
Fauske has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with cold, moderate conditions and significant rainfall. Annual average temperature is 1.4°C (34.6°F), with highs in July at 13.8°C (56.9°F) and lows in January at -8.9°C (16°F). Precipitation totals 1,627 mm (64.1 inches) yearly, wettest in December (159 mm) and driest in April (102 mm). Summers are short, cool, and wet (17°F to 63°F, rarely above 75°F), while winters are long, freezing, snowy, and windy (rarely below 2°F). Being inside the Arctic Circle, Fauske experiences midnight sun from early May to early August and near-polar night in December, with sunrise around 11 a.m. and short daylight. The Skjerstad Fjord moderates temperatures, reducing extremes. Winds are moderate, and humidity peaks in October (88%).
Fauske serves as a key transportation hub in northern Norway. The Nordlandsbanen railway line runs through the town, with Fauske Station connecting to Bodø, Trondheim, and beyond. Major roads include the European route E6, linking north-south, and Norwegian County Road 80 heading east toward Sweden. County Road 830 connects to Sulitjelma. No local airport exists; the nearest is Bodø Airport, 60 km west, with flights to Oslo and other cities. Ferries operate on the Skjerstad Fjord for local travel. Public buses and cycling paths support intra-municipal movement, with emphasis on sustainable options.