Year | Population | Male % | Female % | Urban Pop. | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | - | - | Source |
Ona Island does not have a large permanent population, so a census is difficult to conduct or even ascertain. Although it has been populated for many years, there are certain estimates as to what the population could be. The island itself could have a permanent population of between 25 and 40 people, but much more is expected to inhabit the island for many reasons, most of them being commercial or industrial purposes.
Ona is both an island group and a village which is located in the Alesund Municipality of Norway. It is a tiny island that is separated from the much larger island of Husky, which is separated by only a 15-meter-wide waterway. This makes living on the island unattractive, as it is a short commute to the workers in the region. The two islands are collectively called Ona, or One, and are located 4km from the island of Sandoya.
Ona has a historic village that covers most of the tiny island. The highest point of the Ona islands is the Onakalven cliff, which is the site of the important Ona Lighthouse, built in 1867. The lighthouse and tiny surface area are popular tourist attractions, but mainly for the domestic population of Western Norway. There is a waterway connection that can be reached by ferry between other islands.
Trips to Ona are not common at all among the foreign population but do still receive some tourists from breakaway tours. For example, Nordic cruises are very popular tourist attractions, as the packages can be much more affordable for those that are looking to tour the small islands in the Atlantic ocean. The picturesque views of Ona are not particularly spectacular, as many fishing villages do look very similar. Ferry connections often have blocks of time signed off for visiting many different tourist attractions in the region, so the entire island can be done in less than a few hours.
Of course, the most popular view is the beautiful lighthouse, which served to signal lost ships, particularly during the nighttime in the late 19th century. Even though it was built in 1867, it still serves the same purpose today, especially when there is a danger of rough waters for the fishermen.
Because of the lack of diversity and opportunity, the population has been gradually getting smaller within the last 50 years. It used to be a much more important area because of the access to abundant fishing grounds that are found further out in the Atlantic Ocean. Fishing has sustained the population in both diet and income. In recent times, the economy of the area has diversified slightly, as some pottery artists have moved to Ona for inspiration for their next crafts. Ona has risen to prominence in the west by being featured in the Allstate Insurance Company's television commercial "Morning Song", which aired in the year 2020.