1948-1968 a part of it constituted a market town (köping) and a municipality of its own, but the entities were reunited in 1969.

The municipality stretches along the Pite River for about 60 kilometres in a naturesque surrounding.

Their main distribution is within Sweden, but a small export goes to Finland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, where it is popular to use for homemade pizza.

It is one of very few places where live missiles can be tested over land, and attracts military testers from other countries as well.

There is also some tourism, with a popular place to visit in the nature reserve Storforsen, just west of Vidsel.