# Notodden

Notodden is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Aust-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Notodden. Other population centres include the villages of Bolkesjø, Gransherad, Heddal, Hjuksebø, Hjuksevelta, Rudsgrendi, Tinnoset, and Yli.
The 984-square-kilometre (380 sq mi) municipality is the 118th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Notodden is the 94th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 13,025. The municipality's population density is 14.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (37/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.2% over the previous 10-year period.
Norway's largest stave church, Heddal Stave Church, is located in Heddal, a few kilometres west the municipal centre. Notodden Airport, is located west of the town of Notodden, along the European route E134 highway. Norsk Hydro was founded in this town. Notodden is well known for the annual Notodden Blues Festival, which is considered one of the best blues festivals in Europe. It also has a well-known metal festival called Motstøy Festivalen. The football club Notodden FK is headquartered here.

## General information

On 1 January 1913, the newly-designated kjøpstad (town) of Notodden (population: 4,821) was separated from Heddal Municipality to form a separate self-governing town as an enclave within Heddal Municipality. This left Heddal with 2,890 residents. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, Heddal Municipality was dissolved and the following areas were merged to form a new, larger Notodden Municipality:
* most of Gransherad Municipality (population: 1,115) – except for the upper Jondalen valley which became part of Kongsberg Municipality
* all of Heddal Municipality (population: 4,844)
* the Rudsgrendi area of Hovin Municipality (population: 21)
* the town of Notodden (population: 7,523)

### Name

The municipality (originally the town) is named after a small cotter's farmstead (husmannsplass) located on the old Tinne farm since this was the original site of the town (near the mouth of the river Tinnelva at the lake Heddalsvatnet). The first element is derived from the word nót which means "to fish using a seine". The last element is the definite singular form of odde which means "headland". Thus it is a "headland for net fishing".

### Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 11 August 1939. The official blazon is "Azure, a pale wavy and four lightning bolts in saltire argent" (Norwegian: På blå bunn en loddrett sølvelv som sender lynstråler av sølv til begge sider). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is a wavy vertical bar and four lightning bolts emanating from the centre and making an X-shape. The charge has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The design symbolizes that Notodden was created by the exploitation of hydroelectric power on the river Tinnelva when Norsk Hydro started its operations with saltpeter production and power development in 1905. The vertical bar represents the Tinnfoss waterfall along the river and the lightning bolts represent electricity. The arms were designed by Jens Høibø. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.

### Churches

The Church of Norway has four parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Notodden. It is part of the Øvre Telemark prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.
Churches in Notodden :
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
| Gransherad | Gransherad Church | Gransherad | 1849 |
| Heddal | Heddal Stave Church | Heddal | 1200s |
| Lisleherad | Lisleherad Church | Landsverk | 1873 |
| Notodden | Notodden Church | Notodden | 1938 |

## Government

Notodden Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Telemark District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

### Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Notodden is made up of 41 representatives that are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Notodden kommunestyre 2023–2027 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 5 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 8 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 |
| | Red Party (Rødt) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 2019–2023 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 14 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 |
| | Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 7 |
| | The Christians Party (Partiet De Kristne) | 1 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 |
| | Red Party (Rødt) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 2015–2019 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 14 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 |
| | Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 11 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 3 |
| | Red Party (Rødt) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 2011–2015 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 4 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 8 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 |
| | Joint list of the Red Party (Rødt) and the Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 5 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 2007–2011 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 6 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 4 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| | Joint list of the Red Party (Rødt) and the Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 11 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 2003–2007 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 14 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 7 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| | Joint list of the Red Party (Rødt) and the Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 7 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1999–2003 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 4 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 4 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 6 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| | Joint list of the Red Party (Rødt) and the Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 6 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1995–1999 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 6 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| | Joint list of the Red Party (Rødt) and the Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 9 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 41 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1991–1995 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 14 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 |
| | Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) | 3 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 5 |
| | Cross-party Cooperation List (Tverrpolitisk Samarbeidslist) | 30 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1987–1991 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 27 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 5 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 7 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 2 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1983–1987 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 29 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 10 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1979–1983 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 29 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 9 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 6 |
| | Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1975–1979 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 30 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 5 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 8 |
| | New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1971–1975 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 30 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 5 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 6 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1967–1971 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 31 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 6 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
Notodden kommunestyre 1963–1967 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 33 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 6 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 53 |
| Note: In 1964, the municipality was merged with Heddal and Gransherad |||
Notodden bystyre 1959–1963 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 22 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 6 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 2 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 37 |
Notodden bystyre 1955–1959 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 21 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 6 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 3 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 37 |
Notodden bystyre 1951–1955 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 21 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 6 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 3 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1947–1951 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 19 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 5 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 6 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1945–1947 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 4 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 8 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1937–1940* :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 18 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 12 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 6 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
| Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945. |||
Notodden bystyre 1934–1937 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 19 |
| | Nasjonal Samling Party (Nasjonal Samling) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 6 |
| | Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) | 9 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1931–1934 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 18 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 6 |
| | Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) | 12 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1928–1931 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 19 |
| | Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) | 1 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 |
| | Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) | 6 |
| | Notodden homeowners' association (Notodden huseierforening) | 1 |
| | Notodden taxpayers' association (Notodden skattebetaleresforening) | 5 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1925–1928 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 15 |
| | Labour Democrats (Arbeiderdemokratene) | 9 |
| | Social Democratic Labour Party (Socialdemokratiske Arbeiderparti) | 3 |
| | Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Free-minded Liberal Party (Frisinnede Venstre) | 5 |
| | Workers' Common List (Arbeidernes fellesliste) | 2 |
| | Homeowners' Common List (Huseieres fellesliste) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1922–1925 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 |
| | Labour Democrats (Arbeiderdemokratene) | 5 |
| | Social Democratic Labour Party (Socialdemokratiske Arbeiderparti) | 6 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 6 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 7 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |
Notodden bystyre 1919–1922 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 18 |
| | Labour Democrats (Arbeiderdemokratene) | 6 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 6 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 6 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 36 |

### Mayors

The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Notodden:
* 1913–1913: Johannes Strandli (Ap)
* 1914–1914: Mathias Kleppen (H)
* 1915–1915: Gunnulf Tinne (H)
* 1916–1916: Mathias Kleppen (H)
* 1917–1919: Nerid Asland (H)
* 1920–1922: A.C. Aasnes (H)
* 1923–1924: Olav Andresen (Ap)
* 1925–1925: Frimann Nergaard (H)
* 1926–1927: Hans Helgesen (Ap)
* 1928–1931: Olav Andresen (Ap)
* 1932–1932: Johan Bugge (H)
* 1933–1934: Jens Røkke (H)
* 1935–1940: Olav Andresen (Ap)
* 1941–1945: Arne Bergsvik (NS)
* 1945–1945: Kai Birger Knudsen (Ap)
* 1945–1945: Nerid Asland (H)
* 1946–1946: Kai Birger Knudsen (Ap)
* 1947–1949: Johannes P. Løkke (Ap)
* 1950–1955: Ole Styrvold (Ap)
* 1956–1959: Johannes P. Løkke (Ap)
* 1960–1971: Henry Finrud (Ap)
* 1972–1975: Egil Bergsland (Ap)
* 1976–1983: Hans T. Kasin (Ap)
* 1984–1991: Per Nagelsaker (Ap)
* 1992–1993: Sveinung O. Flaaten (H)
* 1993–1995: Anund Sisjord (KrF)
* 1995–1999: Nils Buverud (Ap)
* 1999–2007: Bjarne Bakken (Ap)
* 2007–2011: Lise Wiik (Ap)
* 2011–2015: Jørn Christensen (H)
* 2015–present: Gry Fuglestveit (Ap)

## Geography

The municipality is located in Aust-Telemark, along the border with Buskerud. Notodden Municipality includes the lands between the lakes Tinnsjå and Heddalsvatnet lake. The rivers Tinnelva and Heddøla both run through the municipality. The Blefjell mountains are located in the northern part of the municipality.

## Climate

Notodden has a humid continental climate (Dfb). Situated inland at low altitude in the Telemark region, is one of the warmer towns in Norway in summer, but winters can be cold. The weather station at Notodden Airport has been recording since March 1970 (temperature and wind speed). Precipitation data is from a different station in Notodden. The all-time high temperature 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) was recorded on 27 July 2018.
Climate data for Notodden 1991–2020 (20 m, precipitation days 1961–90, extremes 2002–2020) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 11.1 (52.0) | 13.8 (56.8) | 21.5 (70.7) | 24.1 (75.4) | 30.3 (86.5) | 32.1 (89.8) | 33.3 (91.9) | 30.3 (86.5) | 27.4 (81.3) | 20.5 (68.9) | 15.7 (60.3) | 13.9 (57.0) | 33.3 (91.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −3 (27) | 0 (32) | 6 (43) | 12 (54) | 17 (63) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) | 21 (70) | 17 (63) | 10 (50) | 3 (37) | −3 (27) | 10 (51) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.5 (23.9) | −3.5 (25.7) | 0.5 (32.9) | 5.6 (42.1) | 10.8 (51.4) | 14.6 (58.3) | 17.1 (62.8) | 15.5 (59.9) | 11.2 (52.2) | 4.9 (40.8) | 0.6 (33.1) | −4.2 (24.4) | 5.7 (42.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7 (19) | −5 (23) | −2 (28) | 3 (37) | 9 (48) | 13 (55) | 14 (57) | 13 (55) | 9 (48) | 3 (37) | 0 (32) | −6 (21) | 4 (38) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −29.7 (−21.5) | −26.4 (−15.5) | −23.5 (−10.3) | −10.8 (12.6) | −4 (25) | 1 (34) | 3.6 (38.5) | 1.8 (35.2) | −2.9 (26.8) | −10.8 (12.6) | −17.4 (0.7) | −29.1 (−20.4) | −29.7 (−21.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 57 (2.2) | 32 (1.3) | 33 (1.3) | 36 (1.4) | 55 (2.2) | 69 (2.7) | 77 (3.0) | 86 (3.4) | 80 (3.1) | 85 (3.3) | 78 (3.1) | 53 (2.1) | 741 (29.1) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 104 |
| Source 1: yr.no/Norwegian Meteorological Institute ||||||||||||||
| Source 2: Tititudorancea (avg highs/lows) ||||||||||||||

## Twin towns

In 2008, the Notodden council decided to end the twin city agreements with Ilisalmi, Nyköping, and Stelle. At the same time Suwałki was approved as a new twin city.
The following cities are twinned with Notodden:
* Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States
* Suwałki, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
Former twin cities of Notodden:
* Iisalmi, Eastern Finland, Finland
* Nyköping, Södermanland County, Sweden
* Stelle, Lower Saxony, Germany

## Notable people

* Kåre Nordstoga, an organist
* Hans Herbjørnsrud, an internationally known author who was born in Heddal
* Olav Gunnarsson Helland (1875–1939), a Hardanger fiddlemaker who many consider the finest of the twentieth century
* Klaus Egge (born 1906 in Gransherad), a composer
* Ådne Søndrål, an Olympic gold medalist
* Seasick Steve, an American blues musician who is achieving fame in the United Kingdom, currently resides in Notodden
* Margit Bakken, a blues musician and songwriter
* Tor-Arne Moen, a painter and author
* Olav Andresen (1877 in Heddal–1950), a politician who was Mayor of Notodden in the 1920s and 1930s
* Ambros Sollid (1880 in Heddal–1973), an agronomist and politician who was Mayor of Skien from 1935–1937
* Carl Bugge (1881 in Heddal–1968), a geologist and academic
* Helga Stene (1904 in Notodden–1983), an educator, feminist, and resistance member
* Aage Eriksen (1917 in Notodden–1998 in Notodden), a wrestler and silver medallist at the 1948 Summer Olympics
* Egil Bergsland (1924 in Notodden–2007), a politician who was Mayor of Notodden from 1971 to 1975
* Sissel Sellæg (1928 in Notodden–2014), an actress
* Hilde Mæhlum (born 1945 in Notodden), a sculptor
* Magne Orre (born 1950 in Notodden), a cyclist, competed at the 1972 & 1976 Summer Olympics
* Helga Flatland (born 1984 in Notodden), a novelist and children's writer
One of the most influential Norwegian black metal bands, Emperor, came from Notodden, as does Mortiis, Peccatum, Star of Ash, Leprous, and Zyklon. Emperor's singer, Ihsahn, still resides in Notodden.