Söderhamn coat of arms

Schools in Söderhamn municipality

40 active school units in Söderhamn, Gävleborgs län. Most common school forms: 18 preschool, 17 compulsory school, 16 after-school care (a school can have multiple forms).

Data updated: 12 March 2026. School data covers 2023/24; Kolada data may cover different periods.

Key metrics — Söderhamn municipality

Overview of the municipality's education system.

40 Active schools 33 municipal, 7 independent
3,931 Total pupils 17 compulsory, 2 upper secondary
208.8 Avg merit value yr 9 Skolverket avg, 5 schools (national avg: 228.5)
54.3% Qualified teachers Skolverket avg, all school forms
139,760 SEK/yr Cost per pupil Compulsory school 2024 (national avg: 142,154.8 SEK)
12.2 Pupils per teacher Compulsory/upper secondary in municipality
1.6 Merit value per 1,000 SEK Cost-effectiveness (peer avg: 1.4)

Compulsory school

Results, teachers, costs and student health

Results and grades

Compulsory school results in Söderhamn (2025).

Merit value year 9 (municipal avg, 16 subjects)
220.1 (national avg: 228.5) (county avg: 210.5)
meritRating9 B
Source
kolada
Period
2025
Quality
B: Direct from source
Merit value municipal / independent
220.6 / 193
Passing all subjects year 9
63.2%
Passing mathematics
75.2%
Pupil satisfaction year 5
72.8%
Pupil satisfaction year 8
64.1%
Parents with post-secondary education
48.8%

Source: Kolada.

Teachers and personnel

Teacher density and qualification in compulsory schools (2024).

Qualified teachers (compulsory school)
56.5% (national avg: 72.6 %) (county avg: 64.4 %)
certifiedTeachersPercent B
Source
kolada
Period
2024
Quality
B: Direct from source
Qualification municipal / independent
59.1% / 26.1%
Pupils per teacher
12.3

Source: Kolada.

Staff stability

Teacher workforce stability in Söderhamn, measured by the trend in qualified teacher share over time.

Qualified teachers (2024)
56.5% (national avg: 72.6%)
Stability indicator (2020–2024)
↓ Declining (-1.7 pp)
National trend (2020–2024)
↑ Improving (+1.5 pp)
Forecast 2026
≈ 55.6% (linear extrapolation, -0.6 pp/year)

Source: Kolada.

Pupils and providers

Pupil numbers and distribution between municipal and independent schools (2024).

Compulsory school pupils
2,400
Municipal / independent share
93.3% / 6.7%

Source: Kolada.

Costs — compulsory school

Cost per pupil in compulsory school (2024). Includes breakdown for municipal schools.

Cost per pupil (total)
139,760 SEK (national avg: 142,154.8 SEK) (county avg: 150,473.3 SEK)
Municipal school cost
135,245 SEK/pupil
Teaching
77,941 SEK/pupil
Premises
18,915 SEK/pupil
Student health
3,928 SEK/pupil
School meals
8,980 SEK/pupil
Learning tools
8,675 SEK/pupil

Source: Kolada (N15006, N15008–N15014).

Student health and support

Student health resources, accessibility and school safety in Söderhamn.

Student health (compulsory)
3,928 SEK/pupil (national avg: 5,053.2 SEK)
Easy to access help, year 5
61%
Easy to access help, year 8
58.9%
Safety at school
82.3%
Study environment (studiero)
43.7%

Source: Kolada, Skolinspektionen.

Mother tongue and multilingualism

Mother tongue instruction and multilingualism in Söderhamn (2025).

Passed mother tongue, year 9
82.5%
Passed SvA, year 9
76.6%
Newly arrived (last 3 years)
1.9%

Source: Skolverket, Kolada.

SALSA — merit value vs prerequisites Model computedThis value is calculated using a statistical model.This affectsSALSA score (municipality)SALSA is model-based and does not explain the full variation in school outcomes.Read more →Read more about the method →

SALSA compares schools' actual results with model-calculated values based on pupil composition. A positive residual = better results than expected. School year 2024/25. SALSA measures relative performance — not absolute school quality. The model explains approx. 53% of variation.

+5.0 Average residual (merit value) for 4 schools
School Actual Model Residual
Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 244 231 +13.0
Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 227 219 +8.0
Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 201 201 0.0
Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 208 209 -1.0

Top merit-value schools

Top 5 schools by year-9 merit value.

School Provider Merit value SALSA Qualified teachers Pupils
Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 Söderhamns kommun 244.3 +13.0 63.9% 270
Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 Söderhamns kommun 226.9 +8.0 57.7% 290
Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 Söderhamns kommun 208 -1.0 58.2% 230
Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 Söderhamns kommun 201.2 0.0 33.3% 210
HamnaSkolan Ellithan AB 163.4 12.4% 50

Adapted compulsory school

Key metrics for adapted compulsory school in Söderhamn (2024).

Number of pupils
41
Share of compulsory school pupils
1.5%
Cost per pupil
585,579 SEK/year
Teachers per 100 pupils
4

Source: Kolada.

Trends — compulsory school

Development over time (2020–2025).

Merit value yr 9 ↓ -1.8%
2020: 224.2 p 2025: 220.1 p
Qualified teachers ↓ -2.9%
2020: 58.2 % 2024: 56.5 %
Cost per pupil ↑ +22.4%
2020: 114,152 SEK 2024: 139,760 SEK
Number of pupils ↓ -3.3%
2020: 2,482 2024: 2,400
Independent share ↑ +19.6%
2020: 5.6 % 2024: 6.7 %
Pupils per teacher ↑ +2.5%
2020: 12 2024: 12.3
Student health SEK/pupil ↑ +19.9%
2020: 3,275 SEK 2024: 3,928 SEK
Student health yr 5 ↑ +0.7%
2023: 60.6 % 2025: 61 %
Student health yr 8 ↑ +6.7%
2023: 55.2 % 2025: 58.9 %
Safety ↑ +2.7%
2023: 80.1 % 2025: 82.3 %

Upper secondary

Results, costs and staff in upper secondary schools

Upper-secondary statistics

Key metrics for upper-secondary schools in Söderhamn (2024).

Upper-secondary pupils
777
Graduating within 3 years
66.1% (national avg: 71.3 %)
University eligibility (3 years)
47.4% (national avg: 57.5 %)
Qualified teachers (upper secondary)
78.3% (national avg: 85.3 %)
Cost per upper-secondary pupil
162,860 SEK (national avg: 144,058.4 SEK)
Grade points upper secondary (avg)
14.2 (national avg: 14.8)
Pupils per teacher (upper secondary)
9.5
Withdrawn study support
10.6%
Foreign background (upper secondary)
23%
Diploma/certificate within 3 years
75.7%
Directly to university
17% (national avg: 16.7 %)

Source: Kolada.

Trends — upper secondary

Development over time (2020–2024).

Cost upper sec./pupil ↑ +18.6%
2020: 137,348 SEK 2024: 162,860 SEK
Graduating 3 yrs ↑ +2.8%
2020: 64.3 % 2025: 66.1 %
Qualified teachers US ↑ +2.5%
2020: 76.4 % 2024: 78.3 %
Univ. eligibility 3 yrs ↑ +5.6%
2020: 44.9 % 2025: 47.4 %
Directly to university ↑ +21.4%
2020: 14 % 2022: 17 %

University connection

Share of upper-secondary students in Söderhamn going on to higher education (2022).

Directly to university
17% (national avg: 16.7 %)
University eligibility (all)
47.4% (national avg: 57.5 %)
Eligibility — academic programmes
89.1% (national avg: 82.4 %)
Eligibility — vocational programmes
25% (national avg: 27.4 %)
Graduating within 3 years
66.1% (national avg: 71.3 %)

Source: Kolada. Directly to university = share starting university the same year as graduation.

Pupil forecast

Population forecast for school-age children in Söderhamn (SCB).

Ages 16–18 (2025)
788
Ages 16–18 (2030)
816 (+3.6%)
Ages 6–15 (2025)
2,719
Ages 6–15 (2030)
2,426 (-10.8%)
Ages 1–5 (2025)
1,043
Total school age (2035)
3,837

Source: SCB population forecast. The forecast indicates future demand pressure.

Preschool and childcare

Preschool, after-school care and pedagogical care

Preschool in Söderhamn

Municipal preschool data. Source: Skolverket's statistics database.

Enrolled children
938
Preschool units
19 (13 municipal, 6 independent)
Share of 1–5 year-olds in preschool
88% (national avg: 86.8%)
Children per group
18.4 (national avg: 15)
Children per group (1–3 years)
15.2 (national avg: 12.1)
Children per FTE
5.6 (national avg: 5)
Preschool teacher licence
57% (national avg: 46.5%)
Pedagogical higher education
56% (national avg: 45.9%)

After-school care (fritidshem)

Key metrics for after-school care in Söderhamn (2024).

Cost per child
43,869 SEK/year (national avg: 46,711.8 SEK)
Children in after-school care
1,119
Children per FTE
21.5 (national avg: 21.6)
Share of 6–12 year-olds enrolled
60.1% (national avg: 57.6 %)

Source: Kolada.

Pedagogical care

Key metrics for pedagogical care (family daycare etc.) in Söderhamn (2024).

Children in pedagogical care
13
Share of children 1–5
1.4%
Cost per enrolled child
184,348 SEK/year

Source: Kolada.

Open preschool and family daycare

Open preschool and family daycare in Söderhamn (2024).

Open preschool units
1
Open preschool FTEs
1

Source: Kolada.

Trends — preschool and childcare

Development over time (2020–2024).

After-school SEK/child ↑ +23.7%
2020: 35,475 SEK 2024: 43,869 SEK
Enrolled after-school → unchanged
2020: 60.3 % 2024: 60.1 %

Children and youth

Health, economy and support

Children's and youth's health

Health indicators for children and young people in Söderhamn (2024).

Mental health issues, children/youth
10.8%

Source: Kolada (N33820).

Child and youth welfare

Key metrics for child and youth welfare in Söderhamn (2024).

Initiated child investigations
53.7 per 1,000 pop. 0–20
Children placed in care
18.7 per 1,000 pop. 0–20
Net cost child/youth welfare
4,065 SEK/pop. 0–20/year

Source: Kolada (N31801, N31810, N31819).

Children's economic conditions

Child poverty and economic standard in Söderhamn (2024).

Children in economic hardship
26.1%

Source: SCB — EU poverty threshold (60% of median) and weighted DeSO medians.

Demographics and population

Population, households and migration patterns

Demographics

Population data for Söderhamn (2025).

Total population
24,163
Population change
-1.6%
Ages 1–5 (preschool age)
980
Ages 6–15 (compulsory school age)
2,412
Ages 16–18 (upper-secondary age)
797
Higher education 25–64
16.6%
Foreign-born 20–64
16.3%
16–24 not in work/education
8.2%

Source: Kolada.

Household types

Distribution of household types in Söderhamn (2024).

Single without children
45.4%
Single with children
5.9%
Couple without children
27.7%
Couple with children
15.3%
Other households
5.7%
Total number of households
12,528

Source: SCB.

Migration patterns

In- and out-migration in Söderhamn (2024).

In-migration
826
Out-migration
999
Net migration
-173

Source: SCB.

Neighboring municipalities

Comparison with the 6 nearest municipalities by geographic distance.

Municipality Distance Merit value Qualified teachers Pupils/teacher Schools
Söderhamn 208.8 54.3% 12.2 40
Bollnäs 32.1 km 208.9 59.1% 11 49
Ockelbo 45.9 km 204.8 50.7% 11.8 11
Hudiksvall 50.4 km 212.1 61.1% 11.2 64
Ovanåker 59 km 215.1 67.9% 10.1 31
Gävle 68.4 km 209.2 59.9% 12.8 133
Nordanstig 73.6 km 201 56.9% 11.6 18

Refugee reception

Refugee reception in Söderhamn (2025).

Newly arrived received
0.8 per 1,000 pop.
Newly arrived children 0–17
7 per 1,000 pop.
Establishment rate after 2 years
62.3%

Source: Kolada.

Trends — demographics

Demographic development (2020–2025).

Pop. change ↓ +166.7%
2020: -0.6 % 2025: -1.6 %
Youth not in work/edu. ↑ +9.3%
2020: 7.5 % 2023: 8.2 %
Newly arrived ↓ -33.3%
2020: 1.2 2025: 0.8

Economy and housing

Municipal economy, housing and infrastructure

Municipal economy

Economic key metrics for Söderhamn (2025).

Municipal tax rate
21.7%
Total tax rate (municipality+region)
33.2%
Tax base
242,276 SEK/capita
Annual result
2,124 SEK/capita
Result, share of tax+grants
2.6%
Solidity
24%

Source: Kolada.

Economic assistance

Economic assistance (social benefits) in Söderhamn (2024).

Assistance households
6.8 per 1,000 pop.
Young adults 18–24 with assistance
16.7%
Assistance months (avg)
42
Net cost economic assistance
2,627 SEK/capita

Source: Kolada.

Learning tools and digitalisation

Cost of learning tools in Söderhamn. Includes textbooks, computers, software, internet access and other teaching equipment.

Learning tools, compulsory school
8,675 SEK/pupil

Source: Kolada (N15012, N17011). Learning tools incl. IT: computers, software, books, AV equipment etc.

Housing and infrastructure

Housing and infrastructure indicators for Söderhamn.

Overcrowded households (Kolada)
14.7%
Completed dwellings
0.3 per 1,000 pop.
Good public transport
98.3%
Broadband ≥100 Mbit/s
91.8%
Rental
28.3%
Cooperative
9%
Owner-occupied
60.8%
Overcrowded (SCB, norm 2)
14.6%
Cars in traffic
12,805

Source: Kolada, SCB.

Trends — economy and housing

Economic development (2020–2025).

Municipal tax rate → unchanged
2020: 21.7 % 2025: 21.7 %
Economic assistance ↓ -20.9%
2020: 8.6 2024: 6.8
Overcrowding ↓ -11.4%
2020: 16.6 % 2024: 14.7 %

Society, culture and environment

Safety, culture and sustainability

Crime and safety

Reported crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in Söderhamn (2024).

Reported crimes (total)
12,320 per 100,000 pop.
Violent crimes
1,218 per 100,000 pop.
Burglaries
636 per 100,000 pop.
Drug crimes
1,218 per 100,000 pop.

Source: Kolada. Data from BRA.

LSS and disability services

LSS services in Söderhamn (2024).

LSS cost per capita 0–64
7,953 SEK/year
LSS decisions per 1,000 pop. 0–64
1.3

Source: Kolada.

Culture school

Key metrics for the music and culture school in Söderhamn (2024).

Share of pupils 6–19
13.6%
Number of pupils
510
Average pupil fee
614 SEK/pupil
Cost per capita
441 SEK/capita

Source: Kolada.

Public library

Key metrics for public libraries in Söderhamn (2024).

Loans per capita
4.5 per capita
Children's book loans (0–17)
4.1 per capita
Active borrowers
17.9%
Media allocation
681 SEK/capita

Source: Kolada.

Environment

Environmental indicators for Söderhamn (2023).

CO₂ emissions per capita
4.7 tonnes
Organic food (municipal kitchens)
17.4%

Source: Kolada.

Trends — society and culture

Development in society and culture (2020–2024).

Culture school share ↓ -17.6%
2020: 16.5 % 2024: 13.6 %
Reported crimes ↑ +6.2%
2020: 11,599.7 2024: 12,320.2
Mental health issues (youth) ↑ +30.1%
2020: 8.3 % 2024: 10.8 %
CO₂/capita ↓ -2.1%
2020: 4.8 t 2023: 4.7 t
Broadband 100+ ↑ +27.1%
2020: 72.2 % 2024: 91.8 %

Trends — adult education

Development in komvux and SFI (2020–2024).

Cost adult edu./pupil ↓ -49.4%
2020: 93,844 SEK 2024: 47,465 SEK

Teacher certification: trend and forecast

Historical trend for the share of qualified teachers in Söderhamn with a forecast based on linear extrapolation.

2020 58.2%
2024 (latest) 56.5%
Forecast 2026 55.6% (linear extrapolation)
County avg 64.4%
National avg 72.6%

Source: Kolada. The forecast is indicative and based on linear regression.

Cost-effectiveness

Comparison between cost per pupil and achieved school results (merit value year 9) in Söderhamn.

Cost per pupil
139,760 SEK · national avg 142,155 SEK
Merit value year 9
220.1 · national avg 228.5
Merit points per 10,000 SEK
1.6 (national avg: 1.6)

Söderhamn achieves more merit points per invested krona than the national average — an indication of good cost-effectiveness.

Source: Kolada. Merit value per cost unit is a simplified measure and should be interpreted considering the municipality's socioeconomic conditions.

Peer municipalities

Compare Söderhamn with statistically similar municipalities

Comparison with peer municipalities

Söderhamn compared with 7 statistically similar municipalities. Colour coding: better / average / worse than peer average (±3%).

Municipality Merit value Qual. teachers Cost/pupil Graduating 3 yrs SALSA score
Söderhamn you 220.1 56.5% 139,760 SEK 66.1% +5.0
Sandviken 209 59.4% 153,355 SEK 65.5% -5.2
Bollnäs 214.6 66.4% 146,677 SEK 64.6% -7.5
Ljusdal 204.8 62.2% 153,899 SEK 64.3% -10.0
Hofors 210.1 60.3% 162,213 SEK 65.5% 0.0
Hudiksvall 215.9 69.5% 138,735 SEK 71.1% -8.2
Gävle 218.4 71.7% 141,361 SEK 70.3% -4.5
Nordanstig 191.3 59.2% 149,266 SEK 74.4% -16.0
Peer average 209.2 64.1% 149,358 SEK 68% -7.3

Trends compared with peer municipalities

Merit value yr 9 2020–2025
SandvikenBollnäsLjusdalHoforsHudiksvall
Qualified teachers 2020–2024
SandvikenBollnäsLjusdalHoforsHudiksvall
Cost/pupil 2020–2024
SandvikenBollnäsLjusdalHoforsHudiksvall
Graduating 3 yrs 2020–2025
SandvikenBollnäsLjusdalHoforsHudiksvall

Source: Kolada. Municipalities selected based on similar education key metrics within Gävleborgs län.

Similar municipalities (SCB group)

Municipalities in the same SCB classification group: Landsbygdskommun

Municipalities in the same SCB group

Söderhamn belongs to SCB municipality group C8 — Landsbygdskommun: kommun med mindre än 15 000 invånare i den största tätorten, låg pendling. 40 municipalities in total. Showing 8 below.

Municipality Merit value Qualified teachers Cost/pupil Graduating 3 yrs
Söderhamn 220.1 56.5% 139,760 SEK 66.1%
Arvidsjaur 213 65.3% 150,409 SEK 78.4%
Arvika 213.8 75.6% 154,832 SEK 71.9%
Bengtsfors 213.2 69.8% 161,495 SEK 73%
Bollnäs 214.6 66.4% 146,677 SEK 64.6%
Dals-Ed 225.9 82.4% 170,292 SEK 73.7%
Dorotea 233.7 62.9% 220,403 SEK 81.5%
Filipstad 208.9 63.5% 154,997 SEK 60%
Gislaved 208.3 63.6% 144,536 SEK 57.6%

Source: SCB municipality classification (2017) and Kolada. Compare with more municipalities using the Benchmark tool →

All 40 schools in Söderhamn

School School forms Provider Pupils Merit value Qualified teachers
BERGVIKS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 47 58.4%
Bergviksskolan åk 4-9 After-school care, Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 230 208 58.2%
Bergviksskolan åk F-3 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 60 84.6%
BUSTROLLET AB Preschool Bustrollet AB 44 24.8%
CFL SFI, vårdvux, RO14 Adult education Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund
DIBBER SKÄRGÅRDEN FÖRSKOLA Preschool Dibber Bla AB 23 53.3%
FÖRSKOLAN BROBERG Preschool Söderhamns kommun 92 61.3%
HamnaSkolan Compulsory school Ellithan AB 50 163.4 12.4%
KLOSSDAMMENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 71 49.8%
KUNGSGÅRDENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 36 67.1%
LILLBERGETS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 96 66.4%
LJUSNE FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 72 65.5%
MO FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 31 29.2%
Mo skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 80 61%
Norrtullskolan åk 7-9 Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 290 226.9 57.7%
Norrtullskolan åk F-6 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 160 56.3%
NYMÅLA FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 74 61.4%
PUSSELBITENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Pusselbitens Förskola AB 81 31.3%
ROSENVALLS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 59 66.8%
Rosenvallskolan After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 130 73.4%
SANDARNE FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 51 60.7%
Sandarne skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 130 46.5%
Särvux, komvux, RO15 Adult education Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund
SKOGSFRÖNAS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Skogsfröna AB 32 26.5%
Söderhamns Friskola och Fritids After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamn Knowledge AB 90 36.7%
Staffangymnasiet RO6 Upper secondary school Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund 220 76.4%
Staffangymnasiet RO7 Upper secondary school Hälsinglands Utbildningsförbund 380 80.9%
Stenbergaskolan åk 4-9 After-school care, Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 210 201.2 33.3%
Stenbergaskolan åk F-3 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 60 68.5%
Stenbergaskolan anpassad grundskola Adapted compulsory school, After-school care Söderhamns kommun
STENTÄGTENS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 39 72.1%
Stentägtskolan After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 310 75.6%
STRÅTJÄRA FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 24 63.4%
Stråtjära skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 40 16.9%
Stugsunds skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 140 69.5%
TRÄDGÅRNS FÖRSKOLA Preschool Trädgår'ns Förskola Ek. För. 21 47.4%
TRÖNÖ FÖRSKOLA Preschool Söderhamns kommun 18 20.8%
Trönö skola After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 60 43.2%
Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 After-school care, Compulsory school Söderhamns kommun 270 244.3 63.9%
Vågbroskolan åk F-3 After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class Söderhamns kommun 110 68.8%

Common questions about schools in Söderhamn

How many schools are there in Söderhamn?
Söderhamn municipality has 40 active school units: 17 compulsory schools and 2 upper-secondary schools. Of these, 33 are municipal and 7 are independent. A total of 3,931 pupils attend schools in Söderhamn.
What are the merit values in Söderhamn?
The average year-9 merit value in Söderhamn is 208.8 points (based on 5 schools). The highest merit value belongs to Vågbroskolan åk 4-9 with 244.3 points.
Which school in Söderhamn has the highest teacher qualification rate?
Bergviksskolan åk F-3 has the highest share of qualified teachers in Söderhamn at 84.6%. The municipal average is 54.3%.
How much does a school place cost in Söderhamn?
The cost per pupil in compulsory school in Söderhamn is 139,760 SEK per year (2024). In municipal schools the cost is 135,245 SEK per pupil.
How do student health services work in Söderhamn?
Student health services in Söderhamn cost 3,928 SEK per pupil (2024). 61% of year 5 pupils find it easy to access student health services. The figure for year 8 is 58.9%.

Statistics: school year 2023/24. Source: Skolverket, SCB, Kolada. Glossary · About the data.
— = data not available from source.