Skutskär facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skutskär
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Skutskär Church
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 Skutskär
Location in Sweden Gävleborg
Skutskär
Location in Uppsala
Skutskär
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Uppland |
| County | Uppsala County and Gävleborg County |
| Municipality | Älvkarleby Municipality and Gävle Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.35 km2 (2.84 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Population
(31 December 2020)
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| • Total | 6,499 |
| • Density | 884.2/km2 (2,290.1/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
814 xx
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| Area code(s) | 026 |
Skutskär is a town in Sweden. It is special because it is located in two different areas called municipalities. Most of Skutskär is in Älvkarleby Municipality in Uppsala County. A smaller part is in Gävle Municipality in Gävleborg County.
In 2010, about 6,075 people lived in Skutskär. By 2020, the population had grown to 6,499 people. Skutskär is also the main town where the local government of Älvkarleby Municipality is located.
History of Skutskär
Skutskär's name means "Ship Reef." The first time it was mentioned in writing was in 1741. Back then, it was a place where ships could anchor near the factories in a nearby area called Harnäs.
Early Industries
The first factories in the area were iron-making furnaces in Harnäs. These furnaces stopped working in the 1910s. Later, a big saw mill and a wood pulp mill were built in Skutskär. This mill is called Skutskärsverken and is owned by a company named Stora Enso. It is still one of the largest mills of its kind in the world.
The mill and other businesses that work with it are the biggest employers in Skutskär. Many people who worked at the mill and their families lived here. This led to the town building many important things. They built schools, shops, a fire station, and even had ambulances and police. They even had a public bathhouse, which was a luxury for working families.
How Skutskär Grew
Another part of what is now Skutskär was called Upplandsbodarna or just Bodarna. Older people sometimes still use this name. Bodarna was located further south, along the Boda river. This river is a small branch of the Dalälven river that flows into the sea.
The people in Bodarna were mostly farmers and fishermen. This village existed long before the factories in Skutskär. Skutskär and Bodarna were not connected as one town until the 1930s. This happened when a new housing area called Kyrkbyn was built between them. After that, the combined area became known simply as Skutskär.
Today, Skutskär remains a steady community. This is thanks to the wood pulp mill and the saw mill. Being close to the larger city of Gävle also helps the town.
Sports in Skutskär
Skutskär has several sports clubs where people can play different games.
- Skutskärs IF: This is a famous club for a sport called bandy. In 2018, the women's team from Skutskärs IF became the champions of Sweden!
- Skutskärs IF FK: This club focuses on association football, which most people call soccer.
- Skutskärs OK - orienteering: This club is for orienteering. Orienteering is a sport where you use a map and compass to find your way through nature.
