• Inhabitants per 01.01.2008: 42 333
• Number of households per 01.01.2008: 19 242
• Area 121,8 square kilometres
• Coastline 146 kilometres, including 64 kilometres on 116 islands

Mayor: Bjørn Ole Gleditsch (Conservative Party)
Deputy Mayor: Vidar Andersen (Progressive Party)
Chief Municipal Executive: Gisle Dahn

The City Council consists of 39 members. The parties' positions 2007 - 2011:

• Conservative Party: 17
• Progressive Party: 8
• Labour Party: 7
• Christian Democratic Party: 2
• Socialist Left Party: 3
• Pensioner Party: 1
• Liberal Party: 1