Ähtäri

Ähtäri
Etseri
Town
Ähtärin kaupunki
Etseri stad
Ähtäri Church was designed by architect Bertel Liljequist, and built in 1937.
Location of Ähtäri in Finland
Coordinates: 62°33′N 024°04′E / 62.550°N 24.067°E / 62.550; 24.067
Country Finland
RegionSouthern Ostrobothnia
Sub-regionKuusiokunnat
Charter1867
Town privileges1986
Government
  Town managerPerttu Sonninen 
Area
 (2018-01-01)
  Total
910.87 km2 (351.69 sq mi)
  Land805.81 km2 (311.12 sq mi)
  Water105 km2 (41 sq mi)
  Rank97th largest in Finland
Population
 (2025-03-31)
  Total
5,208
  Rank163rd largest in Finland
  Density6.46/km2 (16.7/sq mi)
Population by native language
  Finnish97% (official)
  Others3%
Population by age
  0 to 1413.4%
  15 to 6452.9%
  65 or older33.7%
Time zoneUTC+02:00 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+03:00 (EEST)
Websitewww.ahtari.fi

Ähtäri (Swedish: Etseri) is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located in the South Ostrobothnia region. The town has a population of 5,208 (31 March 2025) and covers an area of 910.87 square kilometres (351.69 sq mi) of which 105 km2 (41 sq mi) is water. The population density is 6.46 inhabitants per square kilometre (16.7/sq mi). Ähtäri is located 83 kilometres (52 mi) southeast of Seinäjoki.

The municipality is unilingually Finnish.

Ähtäri is known for its zoo and hotel Mesikämmen designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen which is partly built within bedrock. The biggest lake in the area is Ähtärinjärvi. There is also a relatively old and small board mill called Vääräkosken Pahvi in Ähtäri.

The largest private sector employers are Inhan Tehtaat, Silver-Veneet, Tankki, and Muovilami.