View source for Melhus Municipality

{{short description|Municipality in Trøndelag, Norway}}
{{Infobox kommune
|name                   = Melhus
|native_name            =
|native_name_lang       =
|other_name             =
|former_name            =
|image_skyline          = Melhus sentrum.JPG
|image_caption          = View of Melhus sentrum
|idnumber               = 5028
|county                 = Trøndelag
|district               = Gauldalen
|capital                = [[Melhus (village)|Melhus]]
|established            = 1 Jan 1838
|preceded               = none
|demonym                = Melhusbygg
|language               = Neutral
|coatofarms             = Melhus komm.svg
|flag                   = 
|webpage                = www.melhus.kommune.no
|mayor                  = Einar Gimse-Syrstad
|mayor_party            = [[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]]
|mayor_as_of            = 2023
|elevation_max_m        = 929.88
|highest_point_ref      = <ref name="elev">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune |url=https://www.kartverket.no/til-lands/fakta-om-norge/hoyeste-fjelltopp-i-kommunen |publisher=[[Kartverket]] |language=no}}</ref>
|area_rank              = 166
|area_total_km2         = 694.41
|area_land_km2          = 653.33
|area_water_km2         = 41.08
|area_water_percent     = 5.9
|population_as_of       = 2024
|population_rank        = 74
|population_total       = 17560
|population_density_km2 = 25.3
|population_increase    = 10.8
|coordinates            = {{coord|63|10|35|N|10|18|13|E|region:NO|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Melhus''' is a [[List of municipalities of Norway|municipality]] in [[Trøndelag]] [[Counties of Norway|county]], [[Norway]]. It is part of the [[Gauldalen]] [[Districts of Norway|region]]. The [[administrative centre]] of the municipality is the [[Melhus (village)|village of Melhus]]. Other villages include [[Gåsbakken]], [[Hovin, Trøndelag|Hovin]], [[Korsvegen]], [[Kvål, Trøndelag|Kvål]], [[Ler, Norway|Ler]], [[Lundamo]], [[Storsand]], and [[Øysand]].

The {{convert|694|km2|adj=on}} municipality is the 166th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Melhus Municipality is the 74th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 17,560. The municipality's [[population density]] is {{convert|25.3|PD/km2}} and its population has increased by 10.8% over the previous 10-year period.<ref name="ssb pop">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/06913/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref><ref name="ssb area">{{Cite web |last=Statistisk sentralbyrå |author-link=Statistics Norway |title=09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/09280/ |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

[[Agriculture]] is important in Melhus Municipality. The extensive lowland areas in the almost flat valley surrounding the [[Gaula (Trøndelag)|Gaula River]] are dominated by grain fields. Many inhabitants work in the nearby city of [[Trondheim (city)|Trondheim]], a 20-minute drive north from Melhus.

==General information==
The [[prestegjeld|parish]] of Melhus was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see [[formannskapsdistrikt]] law). In 1865, the western district of the municipality (population: 1,818) was separated from Melhus Municipality to form the new [[Hølonda Municipality|Høilandet Municipality]]. Then on 1880, the eastern district of the municipality (population: 614) was separated to form the new [[Flå Municipality (Sør-Trøndelag)|Flaa Municipality]].<ref name="Dag">{{Cite book |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |publisher=[[Statistics Norway|Statistisk sentralbyrå]] |year=1999 |isbn=9788253746845 |language=no}}</ref> 

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the [[Schei Committee]]. On 1 January 1964, the following places were merged: [[Hølonda Municipality]] (population: 1,428), [[Horg Municipality]] (population: 2,560), [[Flå Municipality (Sør-Trøndelag)|Flå Municipality]] (population: 843), Melhus Municipality (population: 3,978), and the Langørgen farm (population: 11) from [[Buvik Municipality]]. These places were all merged to form a new, larger Melhus Municipality.<ref name="Dag" />

On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the old [[Sør-Trøndelag]] county to the new [[Trøndelag]] county.

===Name===
The municipality (originally the [[prestegjeld|parish]]) is named after the old ''[[Melhus (village)|Melhus]]'' farm ({{langx|non|Meðalhúsar}}) since the first [[Melhus Church]] was built there. The first element is {{wikt-lang|non|meðal}} which means "middle". The last element is the [[plural]] form of {{wikt-lang|non|hús}} which means "house". The farm is one part of a greater and older farm, which had the name {{lang|non|Óðinssalr}} which means "the {{wikt-lang|non|salr}} ([[mead hall]]) of [[Odin]]".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rygh |first=Oluf |author-link=Oluf Rygh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AGxBAAAAIAAJ |title=Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Trondhjems amt |publisher=W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri |year=1901 |edition=14 |location=Kristiania, Norge |pages=286 |language=no}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
The [[coat of arms]] was granted on 8 November 1979. The official [[blazon]] is ''"[[Gules]], a bowman genuant [[Or (heraldry)|Or]]"'' ({{langx|no|På rød bunn en gull knestående bueskytter}}). This means the arms have a red [[field (heraldry)|field]] (background) and the [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] is a kneeling [[Archery|archer]]. The archer has a [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[Or (heraldry)|Or]] which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The arms were chosen to symbolize a local hero, [[Einar Tambarskjelve]], who was a famous chief and archer from Melhus in the 11th century. He is mentioned as an archer for [[Olaf I of Norway|King Olav Tryggvason]] in the [[Battle of Svolder]]. The arms were designed by [[Hallvard Trætteberg]]. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Melhus |access-date=2023-02-15 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Melhus, South Trøndelag (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-16-53.html |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Flags of the World}}</ref>

===Churches===
The [[Church of Norway]] has four parishes ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within Melhus Municipality. It is part of the [[Gauldal prosti]] ([[deanery]]) in the [[Diocese of Nidaros]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="font-size:medium"|'''''Churches in Melhus Municipality'''''
!Parish ({{lang|no|sokn}})!!Church name!!Location of the church!!Year built
|-
|Flå||[[Flå Church, Trøndelag|Flå Church]]||[[Ler, Norway|Ler]]||1794
|-
|Horg||[[Horg Church]]||[[Lundamo]]||1892
|-
|Hølonda||[[Hølonda Church]]||[[Gåsbakken]]||1848
|-
|Melhus||[[Melhus Church]]||[[Storsand]]||1892
|}

==History==
Melhus was the site of many important events during the [[Viking Age]]. It was the site of the farm [[Rimul]], near [[Melhus (village)|Melhus]] at which [[Jarl Haakon]] was killed by his slave, [[Tormod Kark]]. [[Jarlshola]] is the location in Melhus thought to have been the hiding place of Jarl Haakon and Tormod Kark on their last night before the infamous murder at Rimul.

==Geography==
[[File:Gaulosen og Øysand.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Gaulosen fjord]]
The {{convert|695|km2|adj=on}} municipality of Melhus includes the valley of the river [[Gaula (Trøndelag)|Gaula]] as it flows northwards towards its mouth at the Gaulosen, an arm of the [[Trondheimsfjord]]. The lake [[Svorksjøen]] lies on the western border with [[Orkland Municipality]]. The lakes [[Benna (lake)|Benna]] and [[Ånøya]] lie in the central part of the municipality, and the lake [[Samsjøen (Trøndelag)|Samsjøen]] lies on the southeastern border with [[Midtre Gauldal Municipality]]. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|929.88|m|adj=on}} tall mountain [[Rensfjellet]], located as a [[tripoint]] on the border with [[Midtre Gauldal Municipality]] and [[Selbu Municipality]].<ref name="elev" /> The mountain [[Vassfjellet]] lies on the border with [[Trondheim Municipality]].

==Government==
Melhus Municipality is responsible for [[primary education]] (through 10th grade), outpatient [[Health care|health services]], [[old age|senior citizen]] services, [[welfare spending|welfare]] and other [[Social work|social services]], [[zoning]], [[economic development]], and municipal [[road]]s and utilities. The municipality is governed by a [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] of [[Direct election|directly elected]] representatives. The [[mayor]] is [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] by a vote of the municipal council.<ref name="ks">{{Cite SNL|kommunestyre| kommunestyre|2024-12-31|Hansen|Tore|2024-11-25|editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene}}</ref> The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the [[Trøndelag District Court]] and the [[Frostating Court of Appeal]].

===Municipal council===
The [[Municipal council (Norway)|municipal council]] ({{lang|no|Kommunestyre}}) of Melhus Municipality is made up of 37 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political [[Political party|party]].
{{div col}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 2023
|end                       = 2027
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Trøndelag Trööndelage |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/tr%C3%B8ndelag%20tr%C3%B6%C3%B6ndelage/melhus#seats |access-date=2024-01-06 |publisher=[[Valgdirektoratet]]}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = 
|Total                     = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 7
|INP                       = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Pensjonistpartiet         = 3
|Rødt                      = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|otherparty                = Melhus List
|otherparty_no             = Melhuslista
|otherparty_number         = 3
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 2019
|end                       = 2023
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Trøndelag |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/tr%C3%B8ndelag/melhus#seats |access-date=2019-10-20 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 11
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Pensjonistpartiet         = 1
|Rødt                      = 1
|Grønne                    = 1
|otherparty                = Melhus List
|otherparty_no             = Melhuslista
|otherparty_number         = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 2015
|end                       = 2019
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg">{{Cite web |title=Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=no}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 5
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|Grønne                    = 1
|otherparty                = Melhus List
|otherparty_no             = Melhuslista
|otherparty_number         = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 2011
|end                       = 2015
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Sør-Trøndelag |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/s%C3%B8r-tr%C3%B8ndelag/melhus#seats |access-date=2019-10-20 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 14
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 4
|Høyre                     = 9
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 2007
|end                       = 2011
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 37
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|Høyre                     = 6
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 6
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 2003
|end                       = 2007
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 13
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 6
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 9
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 5
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1999
|end                       = 2003
|reference                 = <ref name="ssb valg" />
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 17
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 9
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1995
|end                       = 1999
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 16
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 11
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1991
|end                       = 1995
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 16
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 2
|Høyre                     = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 11
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 5
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1987
|end                       = 1991
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 20
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 3
|Høyre                     = 7
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1983
|end                       = 1987
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 19
|Fremskrittspartiet        = 1
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Senterpartiet             = 9
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1979
|end                       = 1983
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 19
|Høyre                     = 8
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 10
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1975
|end                       = 1979
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 19
|DLF                       = 1
|Høyre                     = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 13
|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1971
|end                       = 1975
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 21
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 12
|Venstre                   = 3
|otherparty                = Socialist common list
|otherparty_no             = Venstresosialistiske felleslister
|otherparty_number         = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1967
|end                       = 1971
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo |volume=I}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 21
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 11
|Sosialistisk_Folkeparti   = 1
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|start                     = 1963
|end                       = 1967
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 45
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 22
|Høyre                     = 3
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 5
|Senterpartiet             = 11
|Venstre                   = 4
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1959
|end                       = 1963
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Høyre                     = 1
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 2
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1955
|end                       = 1959
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 21
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 10
|Høyre                     = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1951
|end                       = 1955
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Høyre                     = 1
|Senterpartiet             = 4
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Venstre                   = 1
|Local_Lists               = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1947
|end                       = 1951
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 3
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1945
|end                       = 1947
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 8
|Senterpartiet             = 6
|Kristelig_Folkeparti      = 4
|Venstre                   = 2
|}}
{{Kommunestyre table
|name                      = Melhus
|herad                     = yes
|start                     = 1937
|end                       = 1941* 
|reference                 = <ref>{{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |access-date=2020-04-14 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |location=Oslo}}</ref>
|collapsed                 = yes
|Total                     = 20
|Senterpartiet             = 7
|Venstre                   = 4
|Arbeiderpartiet           = 9
|}}
{{div col end}}

===Mayors===
The [[Mayor#Scandinavia|mayor]] ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Melhus is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:<ref>{{Cite book |title=Melhus. Jubileumsskrift ved kommunejubileet 1837–1937 |publisher=Melhus kommune |year=1937 |editor-last=Bollingmo |editor-first=Hans |page=38 |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1838–1839: John Jensen Gravråk 
*1840–1847: [[Nils Nilssøn Dahl]] 
*1848–1851: Israel Melhus 
*1852–1856: Rasmus Jagtøien 
*1856–1859: Israel Melhus 
*1860–1865: Lars Qvam
*1866–1871: [[Hans Jensen Blom]]
*1872–1875: John Skjerdingstad
*1876–1881: Anders P. Skjerdingstad ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1882–1891: Nils Jensen Melhus ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]]/[[Moderate Liberal Party|MV]])
*1892–1904: Klaus J. Søberg ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1905–1907: Nils Jensen Melhus ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1908–1913: Eystein Kvam ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1914–1919: Elias Gafseth ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1920–1922: Ole T. Hollum ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1923–1925: Ole T. Øyaas ([[Liberal Party (Norway)|V]])
*1926–1937: Even P. Borten ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Bp]])
*1938–1940: Nicolay J. Eggen ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1941–1945: Hans Bollingmo ([[Nasjonal Samling|NS]])
*1946–1947: Anders Eggen ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Bp]])
*1948–1955: Martin Borten ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Bp]])
*1956–1971: Gustav Berg ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1972–1973: Johan Hogstad ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1974–1975: Bjørn Havdal ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*1975–1987: Johan Hogstad ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1988–1989: Per O. Rimolsrønning ([[Conservative Party (Norway)|H]])
*1989–1995: Sigurd Busklein ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*1995–2001: Anders Estenstad ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2001–2003: Solfrid Løvseth ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2003–2011: Erling Bøhle ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2011–2015: Jorid Jagtøyen ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2015–2019: Gunnar Krogstad ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])
*2019–2023: Jorid Jagtøyen ([[Centre Party (Norway)|Sp]])
*2023–present: Einar Gimse-Syrstad ([[Labour Party (Norway)|Ap]])<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-13 |title=Melhus: Får ny ordfører |url=https://www.nrk.no/trondelag/melhus_-far-ny-ordforer-1.16555434 |access-date=2024-01-07 |work=[[NRK]] |language=no}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Transportation==
[[European route E6]] runs north and south through the municipality, following the Gaula River. There is also a {{convert|3|km|adj=on}} long stretch of [[European route E39]] passes east and west in the northern part of Melhus between [[Buvika]] and [[Leinstrand]].

The [[Dovre Line]] also follows the river through Melhus. The following stations are located along the railway line in Melhus: [[Melhus Station]], [[Kvål Station]], [[Ler Station]], [[Lundamo Station]], and [[Hovin Station]]. The railroad goes through the [[Gulfoss Tunnel]] at Hovin.

==Media gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Melhusbrua 001.JPG| Bridge crossing Gaula River
File:Klemmets veg.JPG| Gimse in Melhus
File:Gaustadvatnet.jpg|Gaustad Lake 
File:Vassfjellkapellet.jpg|Chapel at Vassfjellet on the border with [[Trondheim Municipality]]
File:Øysand.jpg|View of [[Øysand]] in northern Melhus
</gallery>

==Newspapers==
* ''[[:no:Trønderbladet|Trønderbladet]]'': Largest newspaper in Melhus.
* ''[[Gaula (newspaper)|Gaula]]'': Newspaper published in Melhus which also covers the [[Midtre Gauldal Municipality]] and the [[Byneset]] area of [[Trondheim Municipality]]

==Notable people==
[[File:Per Borten (1964, Knudsens fotosenter).jpg|140px|thumb|Per Borten, 1964]]
[[File:Ingrid Syrstad Engen 20191116 (cropped).jpg|thumb|189x189px|[[Ingrid Syrstad Engen|Ingrid Engen]], 2019]]
* [[Einar Thambarskelfir]] ({{circa|980}} – {{circa|1050}}), an influential nobleman and de facto ruler of Norway
* [[Johannes Klingenberg Sejersted]] (1761 in Flå – 1823), a Norwegian senior military officer
* [[Hartvig Nissen]] (1815 in Melhus – 1874), a philologist and educator
* [[Walter Scott Dahl]] (1839 in Melhus – 1906), a politician and Government minister
* [[Nikoline Harbitz]] (1841 in Melhus – 1898), an author<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haaland |first=Mogens |url=https://www.nb.no/items/4a98ed02cb4506763d36245a051ea531? |title=Nikoline Harbitz, 1841-1898 : familiebakgrunn, liv og forfatterskap |date=1982 |publisher=Mogens Haaland |location=Drammen |language=no}}</ref>
* [[Konrad Dahl]] (1843 in Melhus – 1931), a writer and priest<ref>{{cite SNL|Konrad_Neumann_Hjelm_Dahl|Konrad Neumann Hjelm Dahl|2025-02-04}}</ref>
* [[Ulrikke Dahl]] (1846 in Melhus – 1923), a writer
* [[Sophus Dahl]] (1877 in Horg – 1952), a theater and film actor<ref>{{IMDb name|0196972|name=Sophus Dahl}}. Retrieved 07 November 2020.</ref>
* [[Martin Tranmæl]] (1879 in Melhus – 1967), a Party Secretary and MP for the [[Labour Party (Norway)|Norwegian Labour Party]] and editor of [[Dagsavisen|Arbeiderbladet]]
* [[Per Borten]] (1913 in Flå – 2005), the [[Prime Minister of Norway]] from 1965 to 1971
* [[Odd Bye]] (1916 in Horg – 2010), a journalist and politician
* [[Hans Flock]] (born 1940 in Melhus), a [[Supreme Court of Norway|Supreme Court Justice]] in Norway from 1996 to 2010
* [[Tor Singsaas]] (born 1948), the [[Diocese of Nidaros|Bishop of Nidaros]] who grew up in Melhus
* [[Jorun Thørring]] (born 1955), a crime writer and gynaecologist who lives in Melhus
* [[Torstein Flakne]] (born 1960), a rock musician, member of [[The Kids (Norwegian band)|The Kids]], and founder of [[Stage Dolls]]
* [[Hans Bollandsås]] (born 1980 in Melhus), a blues musician who won the [[X Factor (Norwegian TV series)|Norwegian X Factor]] in 2010

=== Sport ===
* [[Magnar Estenstad]] (1924 in Hølonda – 2004), a [[Cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country skier]] who was bronze and team silver medallist at the [[1952 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Toralf Engan]] (born 1939) [[Ski jumping|ski jumper]], a gold and silver medallist at the [[1964 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Magne Thomassen]] (born 1941 in Melhus), a [[Speed skating|speed skater]] silver medallist at the [[1968 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Oddvar Brå]] (born 1951 in Hølonda), a [[Cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country skier]] and team silver medallist at the [[1972 Winter Olympics|1972]] & [[1980 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Unni Lehn]] (born 1977 in Melhus), a [[Association football|footballer]] and team gold medallist at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Ingrid Syrstad Engen|Ingrid Engen]] (born 1998 in Melhus), a [[Association football|football midfielder]] for [[FC Barcelona Femení|FC Barcelona]] and the [[Norway women's national football team|Norway national team]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/melhus Municipal fact sheet] from [[Statistics Norway]] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://www.melhus.kommune.no Municipal website] {{in lang|no}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724182500/http://www.prestegaardslaana.no/ Melhus Prestegårdslåna] {{in lang|no}}
*[http://www.historier.no/index.php?option=com_sobi2&catid=236&Itemid=305 Local history of Melhus] {{in lang|no}}

{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Trøndelag|wikt=Melhus}}
{{Geographic location
|state     = collapsed
|Centre    = [[File:Melhus komm.svg|20px]] Melhus Municipality
|North     = [[Trondheim Municipality]]
|Northeast = [[Trondheim Municipality]]
|East      = [[Selbu Municipality]]
|Southeast = [[Midtre Gauldal Municipality]]
|South     = [[Midtre Gauldal Municipality]]
|Southwest = [[Orkland Municipality]]
|West      = [[Orkland Municipality]]
|Northwest = [[Skaun Municipality]]
}}
{{Trøndelag}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Melhus Municipality| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Trøndelag]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1838]]