Viimsi Parish

Last updated
Viimsi Parish
Viimsi vald
Municipality of Estonia
Viimsi poolsaar.jpg
View of Viimsi Peninsula from the air above Tallinn Bay
Viimsi valla lipp.svg
Flag
Viimsi valla vapp.svg
Coat of arms
Eesti Viimsi vald 2017.svg
Viimsi Parish within Harju County.
Country Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia
County Flag of et-Harju maakond.svg Harju County
Administrative centre Viimsi
Government
[1]
 • MayorIllar Lemetti (Estonian Reform Party)
Area
[2]
 • 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 and neighbouring the capital Tallinn. With a population of 22 935 (As of 2025), [4] Viimsi is considered to be the wealthiest municipality in Estonia. [5] [6]

Contents

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]

The flag and coat of arms of Viimsi Parish were designed by artist Tõnis Soop. [7] [8] The mayor of Viimsi Parish is Illar Lemetti.

History

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. [9] The first written record of Viimsi appears in the Danish Census Book of 1241, where the village of Uianra (pronounced Vianra) was mentioned.

Viimsi Manor, now home to the Estonian War Museum Viimsi moisa tagakulg.jpg
Viimsi Manor, now home to the Estonian War Museum

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 the Kirov 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.

Divisions

There are two small boroughs (alevik) and 20 villages (küla) in Viimsi Parish.

Small boroughs

Viimsi and Haabneeme.

Villages

Äigrumäe, Idaotsa, Kelnase, Kelvingi, Laiaküla, Leppneeme, Lõunaküla (Storbyn), Lubja, Lääneotsa, Metsakasti, Miiduranna, Muuga, Pringi, Pärnamäe, Püünsi, Randvere, Rohuneeme, Tagaküla (Bakbyn), Tammneeme, Väikeheinamaa (Lillängin).

Population

The population of Viimsi Parish has seen a significant growth over the past decades, mainly driven by migration from Tallinn and new housing developments. [10]

Population size 2001–2025
YearPopulation
2001
5,758
2005
10,830
2010
16,232
2015
18,163
2020
20,728
2025
22,935

Religion

Religion in Viimsi Parish (2021)
  1. Unaffiliated (78.3%)
  2. Lutheran (11.3%)
  3. Orthodox (5.50%)
  4. Others Christians (2.70%)
  5. Others Religions (1.50%)
  6. Unknown (0.70%)

Sports

Viimsi 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, the Viimsi indoor football and athletics hall (Viimsi jalgpalli- ja kergejõustikuhall) was built for €6.4 million.

In 2022, KK Viimsi notably reached the 2021–22 Latvian–Estonian Basketball League final and finished as silver medalists.

Museums

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Viimsi Parish is twinned with: [11]

References

  1. ↑ "Vallavalitsuse koosseis" (in Estonian). Viimsi vald. 2010-05-26. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Population figure and composition". Statistics Estonia. 2010-04-19. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ "Viimsi vald | Viimsi vald". www.viimsivald.ee. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  5. ↑ Ovaska, Tomi; Anderson, Robert B (January 2010). "Why Has Viimsi Become the Wealthiest Community in Post-Socialist Estonia? Explaining One Small Community's Success in a Changing World". International Journal of Development Issues.
  6. ↑ "Eesti kõige jõukamad vallad on Viimsi, Harku ja Rae". Ärileht (in Estonian). 13 November 2012.
  7. ↑ Soojärv, Anu. "Mural Kalad ('Fish') in the Administrative Building of the Kirov Collective Fishing Farm". Muinsuskaitsepäevad. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Sümboolika". Viimsi vald. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Ajalugu | Viimsi vald". www.viimsivald.ee. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  10. ↑ Noorkõiv, Rivo (12 November 2014). "Viimsi valla kiire kasv on aeglustunud - tugevdada tuleb kogukonna arengut". Maaleht (in Estonian).
  11. ↑ "Välissuhted" (in Estonian). Viimsi vald. Retrieved 5 March 2011.

59°32′N24°51′E / 59.533°N 24.850°E / 59.533; 24.850

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