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Ilulissat, Greenland

Avannaata · Greenland

Ilulissat is a small town in Avannaata, Greenland with a population of 4,413. Elevation: 36 ft (11 m). Average temperature: 24°F (-4°C).

Data updated June 2026

4,413 Population 1,017/sq mi density
36 ft Elevation 11 meters
24°F Avg Temperature -4°C
11.1 in Annual Rain
America / Nuuk Timezone

Discover Ilulissat, Greenland

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Ilulissat

Ilulissat

Ilulissat, also known as Jakobshavn or Jacobshavn, is the municipal seat and largest town of the Avannaata municipality in western Greenland, located approximately 350 km (220 mi) north of the Arctic Circle. With a population of 5,149 as of 2025, it is the third-largest city in Greenland, after Nuuk and Sisimiut.
The city is home to almost as many sled-dogs as people.

People

Population4,413
Density1,017/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp24°F (-4°C)
Rain11.1 in/yr
Sunny Days316/yr
Elevation36 ft (11 m)
Population4,413
Population Density1,017 / sq mi
Elevation36 ft (11 m)
Coordinates69.2198°, -51.0986°
TimezoneAmerica/Nuuk
Country🇬🇱 Greenland
State / ProvinceAvannaata
Average Temperature24°F (-4°C)
January Average9°F (-13°C)
July Average44°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation11.1 inches (283 mm)
Annual Snowfall6.0 inches (15 cm)

About Ilulissat

Ilulissat is a small town in Greenland (Avannaata) with a population of 4,413. The city sits at an elevation of 36 feet (11 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 24°F (-4°C). Temperatures range from 9°F in January to 44°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 11.1 inches. The timezone is America/Nuuk.

Ilulissat has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 24°F (-4°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 44°F in July. The area gets 316 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 36 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

9°F Jan (-13°C) 44°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average24.1°F
55% below Greenland avg
January Average9°F (-13°C)
July Average44°F (6°C)
Sunny Days316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation36 ft (11 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.2 km²)
Population Density1,017/sq mi
Coordinates69.2198°N, 51.0986°W
TimezoneAmerica/Nuuk

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.1"
71% below Greenland avg
Snowfall 6.0"
Wettest Month (Sep) 1.54"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

15 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.7. Most recent: M0.0 on Jun 12, 2024.

Apr 6, 2016 58 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.7 99 km
Apr 5, 2016 58 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.5 100 km
Apr 17, 2016 53 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.5 95 km
May 9, 2016 59 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.4 97 km
Jun 14, 2007 35 km NW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.3 98 km
Mar 21, 2023 49 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.3 91 km
Mar 30, 2005 42 km N of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.3 75 km
Jan 31, 2006 47 km N of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.3 70 km
Jun 12, 2024 108 km WNW of Ilulissat, Greenland M4.2 108 km
May 25, 2014 20 km E of Qasigiannguit, Greenland M4.2 48 km
Jul 11, 2008 78 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.1 89 km
Aug 20, 2010 109 km WNW of Ilulissat, Greenland M4.0 109 km
Feb 16, 2006 82 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M4.0 91 km
Feb 16, 2006 59 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M3.7 83 km
Feb 16, 2006 89 km NNW of Aasiaat, Greenland M3.6 94 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 50.0 m (164 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2000 PAATUUT, GREENLAND Meteorological 50.0 m 131 km
2014 ILULISSAT ICEFJORD, GREENLAND Meteorological 10.0 m 73 km
2012 ILULISSAT ICEFJORD, GREENLAND Meteorological 8 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 9°F (-13°C) 0.6 in Driest
February 6°F (-15°C) 0.6 in
March 5°F (-15°C) 0.6 in Coldest
April 17°F (-8°C) 0.7 in
May 31°F (-0°C) 0.8 in
June 40°F (4°C) 1.1 in
July 44°F (6°C) 1.2 in Warmest
August 42°F (5°C) 1.3 in
September 36°F (2°C) 1.5 in Wettest
October 27°F (-3°C) 1.1 in
November 19°F (-7°C) 1.0 in
December 15°F (-10°C) 0.8 in

Ilulissat has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 5°F in March to 44°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.1 inches, with September being the wettest month (1.5") and January the driest (0.6").

View full weather details →

Schools in Ilulissat

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Atuarfik Jørgen Brønlund
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Ilulissat

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Ilulissat

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Aqqutarfik
Frilandsmuseet
Ililissat Kunstmuseum
Knud Rasmussen Museum
The Icefjord Centre

Hotels in Ilulissat

6 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Best Western Plus Hotel Ilulissat
Hotel Arctic
Hotel Nordlys
Hotel SØMA
Hvide Falk
Ilimanaq Lodge

Restaurants in Ilulissat

5 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Hotel Icefiord
Iluliaq Restaurant & Bar
Inuit Café
Restaurant & Bar Naleraq
Restaurant Ulo

Cafes in Ilulissat

4 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Asimut
Café Iluliaq
Cafe Nuka
Kangia (Nnguaq)

Monuments in Ilulissat

1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Jørgen Brønlund

Veterinaries in Ilulissat

2 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

GL #504459275
Uumasut Nakorsaat

Gas Stations in Ilulissat

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Easy2go
Tankeeraq

Banks in Ilulissat

1 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

GrønlandsBANKEN

Airports Near Ilulissat

1 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Ilulissat AirportJAVMedium Airport

Post Offices in Ilulissat

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Tusass

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Ilulissat

1 UNESCO sites.

SiteCategoryYear
Ilulissat IcefjordNatural2004

Churches & Religious Organizations in Ilulissat

5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Ilulissat Baptist Church
Inuunerup Nutaap Oqaluffia Ilulissat
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Naalakkatta Illua
Zion's Church

Explore Near Ilulissat

Waterfalls
5
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

Quick Facts

Timezone
America/Nuuk
Elevation
2,010 m (6,595 ft)
Area
11.3 km² (4.3 mi²)
Founded
1741
Postal Code
3952
Twinned With
Fredericia, Fuglafjørður, Hafnarfjörður

🇬🇱 About Greenland

Capital Nuuk
Population 56,025
Area 2,166,086 km²
GDP (USD) $3,326,543,974
GDP per capita $58,499
HDI 0.860
Life expectancy 71.6 years
Urban population 88.1%
Currency DKK (Krone)
Languages Greenlandic
Calling code +299
TLD .gl
Driving side right

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Ilulissat

Ilulissat Icefjord
Natural · inscribed 2004
Located on the west coast of Greenland, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord is the sea mouth of Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. Sermeq Kujalleq is one of the fastest an...

Public Holidays in Greenland

16 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day Ukiortaaq
Jan 6 Epiphany Kunngit pingasut ulluat
Apr 2 Maundy Thursday Sisamanngortoq illernartoq
Apr 3 Good Friday Tallimanngorneq tannaartoq
Apr 5 Easter Sunday Poorskip ullua
Apr 6 Easter Monday Poorskip-aappaa
May 1 General Prayer Day Tussiarfik
May 14 Ascension Day Qilaliarfik
May 15 Bank closing day Atuanngiffik
May 24 Pentecost Piinsi
May 25 Whit Monday Piinsip-aappaa
Jun 21 Ullortuneq Ullortuneq
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Juulliaraq
Dec 25 Christmas Day Juullip ullua
Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Juullip-aappaa
Dec 31 New Year's Eve Ukiutoqaq

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ilulissat

What is the population of Ilulissat?

Ilulissat has a population of 4,413 residents and is located in Greenland. The population density is 1,017 people per square mile, spread across 4.3 square miles.

What is the weather like in Ilulissat?

Ilulissat has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 24°F (-4°C). Winter temperatures average 9°F in January, while summers reach an average of 44°F in July. The area receives 316 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 11.1 inches, with 6.0 inches of snow.

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