Viimsi Parish Viimsi vald | |
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![]() View of Viimsi Peninsula from the air above Tallinn Bay | |
![]() Viimsi Parish within Harju County. | |
Country | ![]() |
County | ![]() |
Administrative centre | Viimsi |
Government | |
• Mayor | Illar Lemetti (Estonian Reform Party) |
Area | |
• Total | 72.84 km2 (28.12 sq mi) |
Population (2025) [3] | |
• Total | 22 935 |
ISO 3166 code | EE-890 |
Website | www.viimsivald.ee |
Viimsi Parish (Estonian : Viimsi vald) is a rural municipality in northern Estonia, situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, and neighbouring the capital city Tallinn. Its population is 22,935 (as of 2025 [update] ).
The municipality contains the Viimsi peninsula and several islands, including Naissaar, Prangli, and Aksi. It covers an area of 72.84 km2 (28.12 sq mi). [2]
Viimsi Parish is statistically the wealthiest rural municipality in Estonia. [4] [5]
The mayor of Viimsi Parish is Illar Lemetti (since 2020).
Archaeological evidence shows that Viimsi Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with finds from the Neolithic and Bronze Age indicate permanent settlement dating back about 4,000 years. [6] The first written record of Viimsi appears in the Danish Census Book (a list of villages compiled by monks in 1219-1220 contains Viimsi, then spelled Uianra).
In 1471, the Pirita convent founded Viimsi manor (mentioned as Wiems) which administered extensive lands on the peninsula. In 1866, a separate municipality was formed on the basis of Viimsi Manor, whose task was to organise the school, court and the fulfilment of certain state obligations. At that time, the municipalities were not territorial, but estate-based local governments, and the power of the municipality applied only to peasants.
After Estonia gained independence, the Viimsi Parish was officially established on 11 May 1919. In 1939, administrative reforms merged Viimsi with Iru Parish, and the area temporarily lost its municipal status.
During the Soviet occupation, Viimsi was part of a restricted coastal border zone. From the late 1940s, several fishing collectives were established in villages and in 1950, these were merged into a fishing kolkhoz, which became one of the largest enterprises in the region. The kolkhoz developed Miiduranna Harbour and engaged in fish processing, agriculture and greenhouse production.
Viimsi regained municipal status in December 1990 and following the Estonian Restoration of Independence, the area has transformed into a rapidly developing suburban municipality.
There are two small boroughs (alevik) and 20 villages (küla) in Viimsi Parish.
Äigrumäe, Idaotsa, Kelnase, Kelvingi, Laiaküla, Leppneeme, Lõunaküla (Storbyn), Lubja, Lääneotsa, Metsakasti, Miiduranna, Muuga, Pringi, Pärnamäe, Püünsi, Randvere, Rohuneeme, Tagaküla (Bakbyn), Tammneeme, Väikeheinamaa (Lillängin).
The population of Viimsi Parish has seen a significant growth over the past decades, mainly driven by migration from Tallinn and new housing developments. [7]
Year | Population |
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2001 | |
2005 | |
2010 | |
2015 | |
2020 | |
2025 |
Viimsi Parish is home to several sports clubs, namely football club Viimsi JK, basketball club KK Viimsi and handball club Viimsi HC. The Viimsi Stadium was opened in 2015, replacing the former stadium. In 2018, Karulaugu Forus Sports Centre was opened adjacent to the stadium, together forming a complex for football, basketball, tennis, athletics and wrestling. In 2025, an indoor football and athletics hall was built for €6.4 million in the Viimsi Parish.
Viimsi Parish is twinned with: [8]