The official blazon is "Gules, an owl displayed Or" (Norwegian: I rødt ei gull ugle med utslåtte vinger).

Finally, the owl has lifted wings and claws out which symbolize a determined defense and the fighting spirit of Norwegians.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Elverum is made up of 35 representatives that are elected to four year terms.

In 1563, Norwegian troops stopped the Swedish advance at Elverum, which provided a strategic point since it lay on both north–south and east–west trade and travel routes.

The parishes of Idre and Särna originally belonged to the prestegjeld of Elverum, but they were occupied by Swedish troops in 1644, and since then they were lost to Sweden.

It was renamed Christiansfjeld Fortress in 1685 by King Christian V of Denmark during his visit to Hammersberg Skanse on June 14.

Although the fortress was manned through the Great Northern War, the village was spared major battles.

The area of population east of the river called Leiret (literally the camp) adjacent to Christiansfjeld Fortress was built up by soldiers as well as the merchants and craftsmen who settled nearby.

The Oppland Regiment had a history which included courageous involvement in combat from the Swedish wars of the 17th century through the German invasion of Norway in 1940.

In the Danish-Norwegian period, Elverum was the location for a bailiff (fogd), a judge (sorenskriver), a church provost (prost), and numerous military officers.

It is recorded as existing in the 17th century, and in 1765 the owner of Gaarder obtained special market privileges from the king, to take place six miles north of the population center of Elverum on his estate.

Elverum municipality served as a temporary capital of Norway during the World War II German invasion.

On 11 April, shortly after the government's refusal to submit to German terms, the central part of the town of Elverum was reduced to ashes.