title: Raasiku Parish
text: # Raasiku Parish
  
  Raasiku Parish (Estonian: Raasiku vald) in Harju County is located in the south-eastern direction from the city of Tallinn. The main road leading through the parish is Jüri - Aruküla - Raasiku - Jägala road. The Tallinn - Tapa Railway goes through the northern border of the parish.
  
  ## Demographics
  
  As for neighbouring administrative divisions, the parish is surrounded by Jõelähtme in the north, by Anija in the east, by Kose in the south and by Rae parish in the west.
  
  2 small towns: Aruküla, Raasiku
  
  13 villages: Härma, Igavere, Järsi, Kalesi, Kiviloo, Kulli, Kurgla, Mallavere, Peningi, Perila, Pikavere, Rätla, Tõhelgi.
  
  | | Population as of 01.01.2019 | Population as of 01.01.2020 | Population as of 01.01.2021 | Area $(km^2)$ | Density |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Aruküla | 2105 | 2115 | 2140 | 3.5 | 611 |
  | Härma | 118 | 119 | 116 | 6.95 | 17 |
  | Igavere | 165 | 166 | 166 | 19.79 | 8 |
  | Järsi | 223 | 217 | 222 | 10.54 | 21 |
  | Kalesi | 233 | 239 | 250 | 9.42 | 27 |
  | Kiviloo | 57 | 56 | 53 | 15.97 | 3 |
  | Kulli | 140 | 150 | 155 | 13.88 | 11 |
  | Kurgla | 110 | 116 | 136 | 11.93 | 11 |
  | Mallavere | 54 | 57 | 66 | 16.33 | 4 |
  | Peningi | 170 | 186 | 176 | 4.67 | 38 |
  | Perila | 110 | 105 | 109 | 15.86 | 7 |
  | Pikavere | 70 | 68 | 67 | 9.05 | 7 |
  | Raasiku | 1364 | 1372 | 1405 | 3.1 | 453 |
  | Rätla | 53 | 50 | 48 | 7.59 | 6 |
  | Tõhelgi | 42 | 47 | 43 | 9.56 | 4 |
  | Total | 5065 | 5073 | 5161 | 158.86 | 32 |
  
  ## Religion
  
  Religion in Raasiku Parish(2021)
  
  ## Symbolics
  
  Both the municipal flag and coat of arms have been in use since 1995.
  
  The coat of arms of the municipality symbolizes the beautiful pine forest of Aruküla, pine-like perseverance that helps people promote the economy and spiritual life of their home region. The green diagonal area resembles the other biggest small borough Raasiku with its small drumlins surrounding the small borough. Green resembles nature and silver hope and purity.
  
  ## Administration
  
  ### Local government bodies
  
  * Council of the Rural Municipality [17 members] (Representative body; elected by adult residents of the municipality.)
     * Chairman of Municipal Council: Maarja Sikut
     * Deputy Chairman of Municipal Council: Kadi Tammaru
  * Rural Municipality Government [5 members] (Executive body; established by the council.)
  
  As of 1 March 2020, the Government structure is as follows:
  
  * Rural Municipality Mayor
  * Office of the Rural Municipality
  * Department of Education and Social Affairs
  * Department of Administration and Development
  * Department of Finance
  
  ## List of Rural Municipality Mayors
  
  * 1992 - Toivo Veenre
  * 1996 - Olev Rähni
  * 1999 - Andre Sepp (3.5 terms)
  * 2011 - Aare Ets
  * 2013 - Raivo Uukkivi
  * 2017 - Andre Sepp
  * 2021 - Raul Siem
  
  ## Education and culture
  
  ### Schools
  
  * Aruküla Basic School
  * Raasiku Basic School
  * Pikavere Kindergarten Primary School
  * Aruküla Waldorf School
  
  ## Twin towns – sister cities
  
  * Norberg Municipality, Sweden
  
  ## People
  
  Raasiku is the birthplace of chess player Aino Kukk (1930-2006), who won the Estonian Women's Chess Championship in 1955.
  
  ## Gallery
  
  * Aruküla manor
  * Pine trees
  * Raasiku water tower
  * Raasiku church
  * Kiviloo Manor
  * The Leiva river on the border of Raasiku Parish and Rae Parish
  