[1] In 1951 the town of Säffle was officially awarded City status, the last place for this to occur in Sweden.

Säffle's main growth as a town took place after the building of a canal in 1837 which allowed boats to safely bypass a section of turbulent water and rapids in the Byälven river.

In 1879 the railway came, linking Säffle with both the west and east coasts, the capital Stockholm and the busy port of Gothenburg.

Most parts of the Kanal 5 reality series Lite sällskap, hosted by Swedish comedians Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson were recorded in Säffle.

The pulp mill in Säffle has been a major driving force in the local economy.