Randaberg has been a typical farming community until recent times. In 1950 the population was about 2.000, almost all of them employed in agriculture. However, in the last few decades industrial development has caught up and equated agriculture – which continues as one of the cornerstones of the community’s economy. Now the population has reached approximately 10.500 and a area of 24,6 km2. Randaberg is in the midst of a period of growth. As one of the North Jæren municipalities, we contribute towards making this region ever more dynamic. Oil is naturally a key word. Expansion of the service industries has been of great benefit for local inhabitants, providing access to many services locally.

Randaberg is about to realise a town-planning project without par in Norway: present development and construction are based on the results of a country-wide architectural competition.

Opportunities for recreation and outdoor life are plentiful in Randaberg. Beaches, hiking and a nature park at Harestadmyra. Randaberg has a breadth of atmosphere, the Black Cave or the Viste Cave, culture and economy that we are proud of, and which we gladly share with others.

HISTORY

It is 12.000 years since the first settlers came to Randaberg, which is believed to be one of the first places in the country to have had a permanent settlement after the ice melted. In those days the land was 25 metres lower than today, so parts of it were covered by the sea, leaving an archipelago. The first of these settlers lived in Startehola or Vistehola – the Black Cave or the Viste Cave – important tourist attractions today.

We would like to jump a few thousand years forward, to the middle ages to the times the nobleman Jon Torbergson. He was closely related to Norwegian royalty and played an important role in the society of the 1100s. At that time Randaberg was a parish with about the same borders as today. However, the plague robbed the population of so many lives that Randaberg could no longer afford to keep a priest, and it came under the jurisdiction of Stavanger parish. Until 1922 Randaberg was a part of the Hetland administration becoming independent only after that.

JÆREN

Jæren is the largest flat lowland area in Norway, stretching from the municipality of Randaberg in the north to Hå in the south. The coast is flat compared to the rest of the Norwegian coast, and has sandy beaches along most of the coastline. The largest city of Jæren are Stavanger and Sandnes.

The petroleum industry around Stavanger is an important part of economy of Jæren, with the headquarters of the country´s largest oil company Statoil being located on Jæren, as well regional offices of international companies like ExxonMobil, Eni, Shell, ConocoPhilips, BP, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes and several others.

Jæren is also one of the most important agricultural areas of Norway, with a long crop period and a varied and well-developed livestock production. Industry here is also strongly connected to the farming industry, with one of the largest producers of agricultural machines in the world, Kverneland Group, located in Time and Klepp.

Author and poet Arne Garborg grew up in the traditional lowland landscape of Jæren, and in several of his works he describes the landscape and its inhabitants around the turn of the 19th century.

FISHING

Enjoy the rugged coastline, the invigorating sea air and the secluded coves. Sea-fishing is unrivalled here. Try your luck casting the line from the rocky foreshore. A day at sea is an unforgettable experience, fishing either from a smack or a cutter.

GOLF

Randaberg Golfclub is a golf course with 9 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course lies close to Tungenes Lighthouse (Fyr).