Järva County

Järva County (Estonian: Järva maakond or Järvamaa; German: Jerwen; Latin: Jervia) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in the central part of the country and borders Lääne-Viru County to the east, Jõgeva County to the south-east, Viljandi County to the south, Pärnu County to the south-west, Rapla County to the west, and Harju County to the north. In 2022, Järva County had a population of 29,693 – constituting 2.7% of the total population in Estonia.^[1]

Järva County Järvamaa
County
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Estonia
Capital	Paide
Area
• Total	2,459.58 km2 (949.65 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[1]
• Total	29,693
• Rank	12th
• Density	12/km2 (31/sq mi)
Ethnicity (2023)
• Estonians	92.7%
• Ukrainians	3.1%
• Russians	2.3%
• Other	2.0%
GDP [2]
• Total	€610 million (2022)
• Per capita	€20,405 (2022)
ISO 3166 code	EE-52
Vehicle registration	P

History

In the first centuries AD political and administrative subdivisions began to emerge. Two larger subdivisions appeared: the parish (kihelkond) and the county (maakond). The parish consisted of several villages. Nearly all parishes had at least one fortress. The defense of the local area was directed by the highest official, the parish elder. The county was composed of several parishes, also headed by an elder. By the 13th century the following major districts had developed in Estonia: Saaremaa (Osilia), Läänemaa (Rotalia or Maritima), Harjumaa (Harria), Rävala (Revalia), Virumaa (Vironia), Järvamaa (Jervia), Sakala (Saccala), and Ugandi (Ugaunia).^[3]

County government

Until 2017, the County Government (Estonian: maavalitsus) was led by Governor (Estonian: maavanem), who was appointed by the Government of Estonia for a term of five years. Since 2014, the Governor position was held by Alo Aasma.^[4]

Municipalities

The county is subdivided into municipalities. There are two rural municipalities (Estonian: vallad – parishes) and one urban municipality (Estonian: linnad – towns) in Järva County. There are 217 villages in Järvamaa. The Largest of which is Türi-Alliku, with a population of 357.^[1]

Municipalities of Järva County

Rank	Municipality	Type	Population (2018)[5]	Area km2[5]	Density[5]
1	Järva Parish	Rural	9,121	1,223	7.5
2	Paide	Urban	10,898	443	24.6
3	Türi Parish	Rural	11,063	1,009	11.0

Religion

The Lutheran congregations in the county are under the Järva Deanery of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.^[6]

Orthodox congregations in the county are predominantly under the administration of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church^[7] but also one of them is under the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.^[8]

Catholic masses are also held regularly in Paide.^[9]

Other Christian congregations such as Baptists,^[10] Methodists,^[11] Jehovah's Witnesses, and other Christian congregations operate in the county.

Religious affiliations in Järva County, census 2000–2021*^[12]

Religion	2000		2011		2021
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
Christianity	5,647	18.3	3,774	14.6	3,250	12.9
—Orthodox Christians	542	1.7	584	2.2	530	2.1
—Lutherans	4,544	14.7	2,655	10.2	1,960	7.8
—Catholics	64	0.2	40	0.1	270	1.1
—Baptists	174	0.5	90	0.3	120	0.4
—Jehovah's Witnesses	172	0.5	164	0.6	110	0.4
—Pentecostals	47	0.1	28	0.1	50	0.2
—Old Believers	3	0.01	6	0.02	-	-
—Methodists	37	0.1	22	0.08	20	0.08
—Adventists	64	0.2	44	0.1	30	0.1
—Other Christians	-	-	153	0.6	160	0.6
Islam	8	0.02	4	0.01	-	-
Buddhism	-	-	10	0.03	20	0.08
Other religions**	201	0.6	160	0.6	340	1.3
No religion	14,796	48.0	18,694	72.2	18,890	74.9
Not stated***	10,166	33.0	3,165	12.2	2,610	10.3
Total population*	30,818		25,865		25,210
*The censuses of Estonia count the religious affiliations of the population older than 15 years of age.[12] ".[12]

Images

• 
  The northern part of the county
• 
• 
  Seidla windmills
• 
  Tarvasjõgi river in Kõrvemaa Nature Park
• 
  Albu manor stone bridge on Ambla River, built in 1879
• 
  Järva-Peetri church
• 
  Lake Väinjärv
• 
  Laupa manor
• 
  Paide Town Hall
• 
  Paide Castle