What Norourping Municipality does

Norðurþing is a municipal government entity (sveitarfélag) in Northeast Iceland serving residents across five settlements — Húsavík (the administrative center), Kópasker, Raufarhöfn, Kelduhverfi, and Reykjahverfi — in the Suður-Þingeyjarsýsla district. The municipality provides a comprehensive suite of statutory public services including social welfare, education (preschools, primary schools, music school, secondary school), sports and recreation (ski area at Reykjaheiði, golf courses, swimming pool, campgrounds), waste collection, water supply, harbour operations, planning and building permits, and multicultural integration services. It operates three physical administrative offices (headquarters at Ketilsbraut 7-9 in Húsavík, plus Kópasker and Raufarhöfn offices) and a digital services portal (íbúagátt).

The municipality owns or partially owns several operating entities: Orkuveita Húsavíkur ohf (an energy utility), Hafnasjóður Norðurþings (the port authority fund), Dvalarheimili aldraðra (elderly care), Menningarmiðstöð Þingeyinga (cultural center), and Norðurhjara (municipal company). It is a member of SSNE (regional municipal and economic development association) and the Association of Icelandic Municipalities.

Revenue derives from four streams: municipal income tax (útsvar) at 14.97%, property taxes (A-flokkur 0.450%, B-flokkur 1.32%, C-flokkur 1.55%), fee-based public services, and harbour revenues. The municipality is actively developing the Bakka green industrial park with data center infrastructure (GIGA-42 partnership), renewable energy projects (Landsnet 220 kV substation, Heidelberg Materials wind power), and carbon capture research (Carbfix). The 2025 fiscal year was materially impacted by the operational shutdown of PCC BakkiSilicon, which eliminated approximately 130 jobs and caused a 12-14% útsvar revenue reduction and 60-70% port fund revenue decline, pushing the projected debt ratio to 123.1% against a 65.7% statutory ceiling (temporarily waived by Alþingi until 2026).

Name

Norourping Municipality

Legal name

Norðurþing

Website

https://nordurthing.is

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Norðurþing is a municipal government in Northeast Iceland providing statutory public services (social welfare, education, recreation, infrastructure, planning) to residents across five settlements, with operating subsidiaries in energy, port, and elderly care. Revenue derives from municipal income tax (14.97%), property taxes, fees, and harbour operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Utilities (221), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Refuse Systems (4953), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Municipal Electric Utilities (Munis) (EUADABAB)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Public administration
• Social welfare services
• Education services
• Waste management

Headquarters

HQ city

Húsavík

HQ country

Iceland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Taxes (Útsvar): Norðurþing levies útsvar (municipal income tax) at 14.97% as its primary revenue source. Property taxes are also levied on real estate.
2. Property Taxes (Fasteignaskattur): Property taxes are charged on three categories of property: A-flokkur (residential) at 0.450%, B-flokkur at 1.32%, and C-flokkur at 1.55%. Also includes water fees and waste collection fees.
3. Fee-based Services: Revenue from various public service fees including waste collection (81,480 kr per household for A-flokkur), port fees, planning fees, and leisure/recreation fees.
4. Harbour Revenues: Norðurþing operates Hafnasjóður Norðurþings (Port Authority Fund) generating revenue from harbour fees, passenger fees, and related services. The port has been impacted by PCC shutdown, losing 60-70% of revenues.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Norðurþing Municipality is a local government entity providing comprehensive public services to residents of Northeast Iceland across five settlements (Húsavík, Kópasker, Raufarhöfn, Kelduhverfi, Reykjahverfi). Its core offerings include social welfare services (child protection, elderly care, disability services, financial assistance), education services (preschools, primary schools, music school, secondary school), recreational facilities (ski area at Reykjaheiði, golf courses, swimming pool, frisbee golf, campgrounds), infrastructure services (waste collection, water supply, construction, harbour operations), planning and building permit services, and multicultural integration services. The municipality operates energy utility (Orkuveita Húsavíkur) and port authority subsidiaries, and is developing the Bakka green industrial park with data center capacity.

Product overview

Norðurþing Municipality operates as a comprehensive local government providing public services to residents across the northeastern region of Iceland. The municipality's service portfolio includes social services (child protection, family support, elderly care, disability services), educational services (preschools, primary schools, music school, secondary school), sports and recreational facilities (ski areas, golf courses, sports halls, campgrounds), infrastructure management (construction, harbors, utilities, waste collection), urban planning and building permits, and multicultural integration services. The municipality also operates the Katlavöllur golf course near Húsavík, a ski area at Reykjaheiði, and community centers across its settlements in Húsavík, Kópasker, Raufarhöfn, Kelduhverfi, and Reykjahverfi. Key administrative offices are located at Stjórnsýsluhús Húsavíkur (Ketilsbraut 7-9, 640 Húsavík), Skrifstofa Kópasker (Bakkagata 10), and Ráðhúsið Raufarhöfn (Aðalbraut 23).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Social Services (Félagsþjónusta) Comprehensive social services for residents including child protection, welfare services (Farsældarþjónusta), home-based care, social counseling, social housing, financial assistance, housing support, elderly services, and disability services including the Pálsgardur residence and Vík housing units.
• Education Services (Menntun) Educational services including preschools (leikskólar), primary schools (grunnskólar), music school (tónlistarskóli), and secondary school (framhaldsskóli) operated by the municipality for children and youth in Norðurþing.
• Ski Area - Reykjaheiði (Skíðasvæði) Ski lift and cross-country skiing area at Reykjaheiði, approximately 7 km from Húsavík, featuring ski lift, 3 and 5 km trails with double track and skate skiing lanes. Ski lift was moved and reopened on December 28, 2019.
• Golf Courses Two golf courses: Katlavöllur near Húsavík (9-hole grass course) and a 9-hole course in Ásbyrgi managed by Golfklúbbur Gljafra. Also a putting green at Kópasker and minigolf at Hvalasafnið.
• Folf (Frisbee Golf) Course 5-hole frisbee golf course north of Húsavík near the campground, designed in collaboration with Frisbígolfsamband Íslands.
• Waste Collection Service (Sorphirða) Household and summer house waste collection service with structured fee categories. A-flokkur (households) charged 81,480 kr/year with 10% increase, B-flokkur (summer houses) at 40,740 kr/year. Includes waste collection calendar (Sorphirðudagatal).
• Harbour Services (Hafnir) Port operations managed through HafnasjÓður Norðurþings (Port Authority Fund), serving cruise ships, whale watching tours, cargo operations, and passenger shipping. Revenue impacted by PCC shutdown with 60-70% reduction.
• Planning and Building Permit Services (Skipulags- og byggingarmál) Planning and construction permit services including regional planning (svæðisskipulag), master planning (aðalskipulag), detailed planning (deiliskipulag), building permits (byggingarmál), map viewer (kortasjá), and available lots (lausar lóðir).
• Multicultural Affairs Services (Fjölmenningarfulltrúi) Integration and multicultural liaison services helping immigrants participate in local democracy and community life, including 'Meet a Local' program and democratic participation support for immigrants.
• Travel Services for Elderly and Disabled Specialized travel services for elderly residents and disabled individuals. Elderly pay 635 kr per trip (1,267 kr if more than 16 trips/month). Disabled travel between 08:00-16:00 is free; cost-covering fees apply at other times.
• Sports and Recreation Facilities (Íþróttir og tómstundir) Sports facilities and recreational services including community centers (félagsmiðstöðvar), summer activities (sumarfrístund), work experience programs (vinnuskóli), sports clubs, sports facilities, swimming pool (Sundlaug Húsavíkur), and campgrounds (tjaldsvæði).
• Energy Utility Services (Orkuveita Húsavíkur) Energy utility operations including geothermal infrastructure managed through Orkuveita Húsavíkur ohf, owned by Norðurþing municipality. Operates community fund (Samfélagssjóður) distributing grants (3,500,000 kr allocated in 2026).
• Cultural and Museum Services Cultural services including Menningarmiðstöð Þingeyinga (cultural center), libraries (bókasöfn), museums (Grenjaðarstaður, Byggðarsafn N-Þingeyinga, Safnahúsið, Hvalasafnið), and cultural funds (lista- og menningarsjóður).
• Elderly Care Services (Dvalarheimili aldraðra) Elderly care services operated through Dvalarheimili aldraðra (DA), a municipal company providing nursing home and elderly care. New nursing home (Hjúkrunarheimili) construction project has begun groundwork in Húsavík.
• Animal Control Services (Dýraeftirlit) Municipal animal control services for residents.
• Fire Department Services (Slökkvilið) Fire department and emergency services operated by Norðurþing municipality.
• School Services (Skólaþjónusta) School services including school service (Skólaþjónusta Norðurþings), educational and welfare support (Fræðsla og heilræði), and school service forms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recruitment of ~130 workers lost due to PCC shutdown

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GIGA-42coreTechnology or Integration · 21 May 2026Norðurþing signed a declaration of intent (viljayfirlýsing) with GIGA-42 regarding the development of a data center at Bakka. On May 21, 2026, the byggðarráð approved extending the declaration to allow Norðurþing to make declarations with other data center projects within 30 days while keeping the GIGA-42 declaration active without exclusivity provisions.
• Eimur (Eimur Collaborative Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Eimur is a collaborative project with an expiring agreement at end of 2026. The board of Orkuveita Húsavíkur is working on a new agreement and consulting its members about continued support for the project.
• LandsnetcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 December 2024Norðurþing is coordinating with Landsnet regarding the planned 220 kV substation at Bakka as part of the green industrial park development. Helgarsvæði (protective zone) of Þeistareykjalína 1 will be marked on detailed planning maps. Norðurþing will consult with Landsnet on this development.
• Orkuveita Húsavíkur ohfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrkuveita Húsavíkur is an energy utility company (ohf = open joint-stock fund) owned/partially owned by Norðurþing. It operates the energy infrastructure including geothermal systems. The company has a community fund (Samfélagssjóður) that distributes grants to local organizations, allocating 3,500,000 kr in 2026 to various groups.
• Hafnasjóður NorðurþingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorðurþing operates Hafnasjóður Norðurþings (Port Authority Fund), which manages harbour facilities. The fund has been significantly impacted by the PCC shutdown, facing 60-70% revenue reduction. The port handles cruise ships, whale watching tours, and cargo operations.
• SSNE (Samtök sveitarfélaga og atvinnuþróunar á Norðurlandi eystra)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorðurþing is a member of SSNE, an association of municipalities and economic development organizations in Northeast Iceland. Norðurþing appoints representatives to the SSNE board and sends delegates to the SSNE assembly. A government task force was formed following a meeting between SSNE mayors and the Prime Minister regarding the PCC situation.
• Samband íslenskra sveitarfélagacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorðurþing is affiliated with the Association of Icelandic Municipalities (Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga). The association coordinates on national municipal policy, sends delegates to the association's meetings, and receives its meeting minutes and publications.
• Þekkingarsetur ÞingeyingaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÞekkingarsetur Þingeyinga (Þingeyinga Knowledge Center) partnered with Norðurþing for a grant application to the Immigrants' Development Fund for research based on the experiences of immigrants in Norðurþing.
• Hafnasamband ÍslandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorðurþing's Port Authority is a member of Hafnasamband Íslands (Icelandic Port Association). Meeting minutes of the association's board (482nd meeting, April 13, 2026) are received and reviewed.
• Þróunarsjóður innflytjendaminorOthersNorðurþing participated with Þekkingarsetur Þingeyinga in an application to the Immigrants' Development Fund for research on immigrant experiences in Norðurþing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Seyðisfjörður: A small fjord municipality in eastern Iceland with comparable tourism-and-harbour dependence and similar demographic challenges. Provides a useful regional benchmark for how small Icelandic municipalities manage tourism-driven revenue and infrastructure costs.

Direct peers

• Skagafjörður: A rural-urban mixed municipality in northern Iceland delivering the same statutory municipal services (welfare, education, harbors, waste, recreation) across multiple settlements. Comparable scale and service breadth make it a relevant operational and fiscal benchmark.
• Eyjafjarðarsveit: A rural municipality adjacent to Akureyri providing standard municipal services across dispersed settlements in the Eyjafjörður region. Comparable in scale, service mix, and reliance on inter-municipal cooperation through SSNE.
• Akureyrarbær (Akureyri Municipality): The largest municipality in Northeast Iceland and the regional capital. Provides the same comprehensive municipal service portfolio (social services, education, harbors, utilities, recreation, planning) to a similar coastal Icelandic population, making it the closest operational peer for benchmarking Norðurþing's service delivery and fiscal structure.
• Fjallabyggð: A merged fishing-and-industrial municipality in northern Iceland with comparable size, harbour operations (Ólafsfjörður, Siglufjörður), and exposure to single-industry shocks. Directly relevant for understanding how small Icelandic municipalities manage industrial concentration risk similar to Norðurþing's PCC exposure.
• Dalvíkurbyggð: A small northern Icelandic municipality with a fishing-and-tourism economy, harbour operations, and similar demographic profile to Norðurþing. Provides a useful peer benchmark for fiscal exposure to single-industry downturns.
• Þingeyjarsveit: A neighbouring rural municipality in the Þingeyjarsýsla region with overlapping geography and shared regional coordination through SSNE. Directly comparable in settlement structure, service delivery model, and exposure to Northeast Iceland economic dynamics.

Broad incumbents

• Reykjavíkurborg (City of Reykjavík): Iceland's capital municipality and the largest local government in the country. Operates a much broader service portfolio at scale, but provides the same statutory municipal services and is governed under the same Icelandic municipal framework as Norðurþing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/reydararhnjukur
• Facebookfacebook.com/reydararhnjukur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nordurthing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Norourping Municipality