The community of Dalvíkurbyggð was formed in 1998 by the merger of three districts of outer Eyjafjörður; the town of Dalvík and the rual districts of Svarfaðardalur and Árskógur. The logo of Dalvíkurbyggð shows three mountains, signifying the joining of the three communities.
The population of Dalvík is about 1,500. The local economy is based upon the fisheries and fish processing, in addition to various industruial and food enterprices, services, commerce and trade. Dalvík harbour is a large fishing and commercial port; the ferry Sæfari, which sails from Dalvík, serves the island of Grímsey, Iceland's nothenmost community, which lies on the Arctic Circle.