During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.

At the same time, the Ågedal and Midtbø area of Bjelland (population: 96) was transferred to the municipality of Audnedal.

The first element is the genitive case of the word bœr which means "farm" or "farmstead".

[6] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Bjelland was made up of representatives that were elected to four year terms.

The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.