Ålgård (historic: Aalgaard) is the administrative centre of Gjesdal municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. The village is located along the European route E39 highway, about southeast of the city of Sandnes in the Jæren district of the county. The village includes the neighborhoods of Ålgård, Bærland, Fiskebekk, Opstad and Solås. The large lake Edlandsvatnet lies on the south side of the village, emptying into the river Figgjoelva which runs northwest to Sandnes.
Ålgård is mostly known for the Kongeparken amusement park, an old wool mill, and a local football team (Ålgård F.K.) playing in the Norwegian Second Division. The Old Ålgård Church (built in 1917) and the new Ålgård Church (built in 2015) are both located in the village. There is significant industries in Ålgård, primarily the wood, textile, and clothing industries.
Population
The village has a population (2019) of 9,277 and a population density of .
The village of
Figgjo, located in neighboring
Sandnes municipality sits directly adjacent to Ålgård, just over the municipal border. Statistics Norway considers Ålgård/Figgjo to be one large urban area straddling two municipalities. Together, Ålgård/Figgjo has 11,335 residents.
Notable residents
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Leo Moracchioli (born 1978 in Ålgård), a multi-instrumentalist heavy metal musician and producer based in Oltedal
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Martin Nevland (born 2001 in Ålgård), is a multi-time youth and junior world champion biathlete
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Håvard Rugland (born 1984 in Ålgård), a Norwegian American football placekicker, known as "Kickalicious"
Media gallery
Veveriet Ålgård.jpg|A former wool mill now used as a library and a cultural center
Ålgård Station.jpg|Ålgård Station, a former railway station for Ålgårdbanen
Ålgård Kirke.jpg|Ålgård Church was built in 1917. The architect was Ole Stein.