Other settlements in Hamar include Hjellum, Slemsrud, Ridabu, Ingeberg, and Ilseng.

[5][6] Among the municipality's responsibilities, it the operation of nine primary and three lower secondary school, with a combined 3,115 pupils.

[8] In 1848, the village of Hamar was granted kjøpstad status for a land area of about 400 decares (99 acres).

[9][10] The municipality (originally the town) is named after the old Hamar farm (Old Norse: Hamarr).

The name is identical with the word hamarr which means "stone" or "rocky hill".

The official blazon is "Argent, a grouse sable displayed standing on a pine tree issuant from the base" (Norwegian: I sølv, en svart orrfugl med flakte vinger i toppen av et grønt furutre med naturfarget stamme).

The municipality of Hamar lies along the eastern shore of the large lake Mjøsa.

Hamar has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with fairly dry and cold winters, and comfortably warm summers.

The Hamar II weather station, at an elevation of 141 metres (463 ft), started recording in 1968.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Hamar is made up of 39 representatives that are elected to four year terms.