Haugesund was founded in 1854 when it was divided from Torvastad, a former neighbouring municipal. The municipal consequently celebrated its 150-year anniversary in 2004.
In the early years the coastal waters of Haugesund was a huge source of herring, and the city grew accordingly. Despite being a fairly young city, the Haugesund areas were land of power during the age of Vikings.
Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway, had his home on Avaldsnes, very close to the city. Fairhair was buried on Haug lying by Karmsund, an area that later would name the city and municipal “Haugesund”. The national monument "Haraldstøtten" is raised on the grounds Harald is believed buried.
The protective sounds of Smedasund and Karmsund, gave the city a possibility to grow in both fishing and shipping. Even to this day, Karmsund is one of Norways busiest fairways. The city is still growing geographically even though the population has increased only moderately the last decade.
Today the herring is long gone, and the city is turning more and more towards the petroleum industry, like its neighbour Stavanger
