Viimsi Parish Viimsi vald | |
|---|---|
 View of Viimsi Peninsula from the air aboveTallinn Bay | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Viimsi Parish within Harju County. | |
| Country |  Estonia |
| County |  Harju 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 |
| • Density | 0.30/km2 (0.78/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | EE-890 |
| Website | www.viimsivald.ee |
Viimsi Parish (Estonian:Viimsi vald) is a ruralmunicipality in NorthernEstonia, situated on the southern coast of theGulf of Finland and neighbouring the capitalTallinn. With a population of 22,935 (as of 2025[update]),[4] Viimsi is considered to be the wealthiest municipality in Estonia.[5][6]
The municipality contains theViimsi Peninsula and several islands, includingNaissaar,Prangli, andAksi. 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 artistTõnis Soop.[7][8] The mayor of Viimsi Parish is Illar Lemetti.
Archaeological evidence shows that Viimsi Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with finds from theNeolithic andBronze Age indicate permanent settlement dating back about 4,000 years.[9] The first written record of Viimsi appears in theDanish Census Book of 1241, where the village of Uianra (pronounced Vianra) was mentioned.
In 1471, thePirita convent founded Viimsi Manor (mentioned asWiems) 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 on11 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 theKirov 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 twosmall 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.[10]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 5,758 |
| 2005 | 10,830 |
| 2010 | 16,232 |
| 2015 | 18,163 |
| 2020 | 20,728 |
| 2025 | 22,935 |
Viimsi is home to several sports clubs, namely football clubViimsi JK, basketball clubKK Viimsi and handball clubViimsi HC. TheViimsi Stadium was opened in 2015, replacing theformer 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 the2021–22 Latvian–Estonian Basketball League final and finished as silver medalists.
Viimsi Parish istwinned with:[11]
Barleben, Germany
Porvoo, Finland
Ski Municipality, Norway
Sulejówek, Poland
Täby Municipality, Sweden
Ramat Yishai, Israel
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59°32′N24°51′E / 59.533°N 24.850°E /59.533; 24.850
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