{{Infobox settlement | name = Assentoft | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = Storegade,_Assentoft.jpg | imagesize = 220px | image_caption = Storegade, the town's main street. | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_map1 = | pushpin_map = Denmark#Denmark Central Denmark Region | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_caption = Assentoft Denmark | pushpin_mapsize = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Denmark | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Central Denmark (''Midtjylland'') | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = Randers | government_footnotes= | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | established_title = | established_date = | established_title2 = | established_date2 = | established_title3 = | established_date3 = | area_magnitude = <!-- 1 E9 --> | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = 2.9 | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank1_sq_mi = | population_as_of = 2025 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_urban = 3956 | population_density_urban_km2 = auto | population_density_urban_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = | population_demonym = Esking | timezone = Central Europe Time | utc_offset = +1 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = +2 | coordinates = {{coord|56.440724|N|10.148697|E|region:DK-8960|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use tags --> | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = DK-8960 Randers SØ | area_code = (+45) 8 | blank_name = | blank_info = | blank1_name = | blank1_info = | website = | footnotes = }} '''Assentoft''' is a Danish town on the peninsula of Jutland with a population of 3,956 in 2025.<ref>[https://m.statbank.dk/TableInfo/BY3?lang=en BY3: Population 1st January by urban areas, area and population density] The Mobile Statbank from Statistics Denmark</ref> The town is located eight kilometers east of Randers,<ref name=":0">Stadsarkitektens Kontor (2011). ''Assentoft & Drastrup:'' ''Landsbyregistreringen 2011''. http://ipaper.ipapercms.dk/RandersKommune/MiljoogTeknik/stadsarkitekten/Landsbyregistering2011/AssentoftogDrastrup/ [Retrieved 2016-07-22], p. 4</ref> and is a part of the Randers Municipality in the Central Denmark Region.
== History ==
=== Prehistory === In Assentoft, remains of e.g. a round barrow with a grave from the Stone Age, two round barrows from antiquity, a settlement from the late Bronze Age, and another settlement which seems to have been inhabited from the late Stone Age to the late Iron Age have been found.<ref>Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen. ''Fund og Fortidsminder''. ''http://www.kulturarv.dk/fundogfortidsminder/Kort/?bbox=567835.991866584,6253046.06217988,574515.991866584,6259726.06217988&point=571175.991866584,6256386.06217988'' [Retrieved 2016-07-24]</ref>
==== Name ==== In place names, the last syllable, ''-toft,'' means "the adapted", and refers to an area in which a house is built. A toft was therefore potentially an area specified for settlement by a farm owner in a village. Names with ''-toft'' are mainly from the Viking Age, as there are many names with ''-toft'' in England and Normandy.<ref>Becker-Christensen, Christian; Widell, Peter (1992). ''Politikens NUDANSK ORDBOG.'' Copenhagen, Denmark: Politikens Forlag A/S. {{ISBN|87-567-5107-9}} (volume 1-2), p. 1113</ref>
In settlement names with ''–toft'', the first part of the name is often a Nordic first name<ref name=":1">Gyldendal. ''–toft'' in ''Den Store Danske'' http://denstoredanske.dk/Sprog,_religion_og_filosofi/Sprog/Navne/Stednavnes_orddele/-toft [Retrieved 2016-07-24]</ref>—in this case perhaps ''Asgun''.<ref>Gyldendal. ''Assentoft'' in ''Den Store Danske''. http://denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Jylland/Jylland_-_byer/Assentoft [Retrieved 2016-07-22]</ref> However, in some cases, the first part refers to animals, terrain, or vegetation,<ref name=":1" /> and the first part of Assentoft's name is probably the Old Danish word ''æsking'', which means "ash stand".<ref>Becker-Christensen, Christian; Widell, Peter (1992). ''Politikens NUDANSK ORDBOG.'' Copenhagen, Denmark: Politikens Forlag A/S. {{ISBN|87-567-5107-9}} (volume 1-2), p. 324</ref> An inhabitant of Assentoft is also supposedly called an Esking.<ref>Gyldendal. ''Essenbæk Kloster'' in ''Den Store Danske''. http://denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_historie/Nordens_middelalderark%C3%A6ologi/Essenb%C3%A6k_Kloster [Retrieved 2016-08-24]</ref>
=== Early history === [[File:Gamle Essenbæk Kirke i ca. 1865.jpg|left|thumb|Old Essenbæk Church in ca. 1865.<ref>Nielsen, Allan Berg (1984). ''Essenbæk gamle kirke'' in ''Årsskrift 1984''. Auning, Denmark: Lokalhistorisk forening for Sønderhald Kommune og Sønderhald Egnsarkiv, p. 20</ref>]]In the era of the Hundreds of Denmark, Haldherred<ref name=":2">Nielsen, Niels; Skautrup, Peter; Mathiassen, Therkel (1963). ''J. P. TRAP: DANMARK. FEMTE UDGAVE''. ''REDIGERET AF NIELS NIELSEN • PETER SKAUTRUP • THERKEL MATHIASSEN. RANDERS AMT. BIND VII, 2''. Copenhagen, Denmark: G. E. C. Gads Forlag, pp. 841-842</ref> built the church Essenbæk (Eskingbec)<ref name=":3">Nielsen, Niels; Skautrup, Peter; Mathiassen, Therkel (1963). ''J. P. TRAP: DANMARK. FEMTE UDGAVE''. ''REDIGERET AF NIELS NIELSEN • PETER SKAUTRUP • THERKEL MATHIASSEN. RANDERS AMT. BIND VII, 2''. Copenhagen, Denmark: G. E. C. Gads Forlag, p. 847</ref> in approximately the 12th century CE<ref>Mejlsø, Jørgen; Jørgensen, Johannes Liingaard; Kristiansen, Karsten (2011). ''DANSKE FORTIDSMINDER''. http://www.fortidsmindeguide.dk/Essenbaek-Kirke.ma003.0.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419021537/http://www.fortidsmindeguide.dk/Essenbaek-Kirke.ma003.0.html |date=2016-04-19 }} [Retrieved 2016-07-22]</ref> in the middle of Essenbæk Parish, which was an annex of Virring Parish.<ref name=":4">Weitemeyer, Harald (1901). ''J. P. TRAP: KONGERIGET DANMARK. TREDJE OMARBEJDEDE UDGAVE. UNDER MEDVIRKNING AF V. FALBE-HANSEN OG H. WESTERGAARD. UDARBEJDET AF H. WEIETMEYER. FJERDE BIND. HJØRRING, THISTED, AALBORG, VIBORG OG RANDERS AMTER''. Copenhagen, Denmark: Universitstsboghandler G. E. C. Gad., p. 925</ref> Most of Essenbæk Parish was tenured to Essenbæk Abbey,<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 7</ref> and as of March 9, 1467, Essenbæk Farm (Æskinbechgard; ''Essenbækgård'') has stood by the church.<ref>Nordisk Forskningsinstitut (1998). ''Danmarks Stednavne''. http://danmarksstednavne.navneforskning.ku.dk/ [Retrieved 2016-10-22]</ref>
=== Modern history === thumb|Essenbæk Farm (left) and Essenbæk Mill (middle) in 1921. After the Reformation in Denmark, the king confiscated Essenbæk Abbey and its estate in 1540,<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 11</ref> and established Assentoft (Assentofftt) in 1579.<ref>Nielsen, Niels; Skautrup, Peter; Mathiassen, Therkel (1963). ''J. P. TRAP: DANMARK. FEMTE UDGAVE''. ''REDIGERET AF NIELS NIELSEN • PETER SKAUTRUP • THERKEL MATHIASSEN. RANDERS AMT. BIND VII, 2''. Copenhagen, Denmark: G. E. C. Gads Forlag, pp. 847-848</ref> When Essenbæk Farm and Essenbæk Mill (Essenbech Møllested; ''Essenbæk Mølle'') were acquired on August 22, 1661 from the king by Hans Friis, there were 10 farms, four smallholdings and five houses in Assentoft.<ref>Laursen, Laurs Rasmus (1892). ''Kronens Skøder: paa afhændet og erhvervet Jordegods i Danmark, fra Reformationen til Nutiden''. Copenhagen, Denmark; C. A. Reitzel, p. 101</ref> The town's location on moraine hills reveals that agriculture was prioritized there, and cattle were probably kept on the meadows below the town.<ref name=":0" />
On March 18,<ref>Hansen, Karl (1832). ''Danske Ridderborge, beskrevne tildeels efter utrykte Kilder''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Hofboghandler Beekens Forlag, p. 102</ref> 1695, Hans Friis gave Essenbæk Home Farm (''Essenbæk Ladegård'') and its adjoining estates to his nephew Christian Friis,<ref>Nielsen, Niels; Skautrup, Peter; Mathiassen, Therkel (1963). ''J. P. TRAP: DANMARK. FEMTE UDGAVE''. ''REDIGERET AF NIELS NIELSEN • PETER SKAUTRUP • THERKEL MATHIASSEN. RANDERS AMT. BIND VII, 2''. Copenhagen, Denmark: G. E. C. Gads Forlag, p. 862</ref> who incorporated them into the entailed estate of Tustrup on February 15, 1726.<ref>Hansen, Karl (1832). ''Danske Ridderborge, beskrevne tildeels efter utrykte Kilder''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Hofboghandler Beekens Forlag, p. 142</ref> In 1739, the estate owner established a school in Assentoft,<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 23</ref> but on October 30, 1782, the king gave permission to sell the estate. Essenbæk Home Farm was sold at auction at Tustrup December 18, 1783 to Christian Kallager, and on June 11, 1785, the deed was signed.<ref>Hansen, Karl (1832). ''Danske Ridderborge, beskrevne tildeels efter utrykte Kilder''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Hofboghandler Beekens Forlag, p. 143</ref>
On June 10,<ref>Hansen, Karl (1832). ''Danske Ridderborge, beskrevne tildeels efter utrykte Kilder''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Hofboghandler Beekens Forlag, p. 145</ref> 1787, Kallager sold it to Peter Severin Fønss and Johan Frederik Carøe.<ref name=":5">Nielsen, Niels; Skautrup, Peter; Mathiassen, Therkel (1963). ''J. P. TRAP: DANMARK. FEMTE UDGAVE''. ''REDIGERET AF NIELS NIELSEN • PETER SKAUTRUP • THERKEL MATHIASSEN. RANDERS AMT. BIND VII, 2''. Copenhagen, Denmark: G. E. C. Gads Forlag, p. 848</ref> Essenbæk Farm was sold again in 1789 to Niels Christensen Kutsch,<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 80</ref> and during the next year, Assentoft was sold<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 13</ref> to the tenant farmers in the village.<ref>Mehlsen, Ejnar (1919). ''Essenbæk Kloster'' in ''Aarbog udgivet af Randers Amts Historiske Samfund. Årgang 13. 52-60''. Randers, Denmark: Randers Amts Historiske Samfund, p. 60</ref> When they divided it among themselves on July 15, 1790, there were nine whole farms, two half farms, four smallholdings, and four houses in Assentoft.<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, pp. 16-17</ref>
Within each pastorage, a main parish and its annex(es) were established in 1803, and were called a municipal<ref>Blangstrup, Christian (1922). ''Salmonsens konversationsleksikon. Anden Udgave. Bind XXI:Schinopsis-Spektrum''. Copenhagen, Denmark; A/S J. H. Schultz Forlagsboghandel, p. 885</ref> parish,<ref>Blangstrup, Christian (1922). ''Salmonsens konversationsleksikon. Anden Udgave. Bind XXI:Schinopsis-Spektrum''. Copenhagen, Denmark; A/S J. H. Schultz Forlagsboghandel, p. 888</ref> which from January 1, 1868<ref>Christensen, Harry (1976). ''Danske landkommuner 1842-1970''. Viborg, Denmark; Landsarkivet for Nørrejylland, p. 5</ref> was called parish municipality.<ref>Christensen, Leif (2010). ''Sogneforstanderskab – sogneforstander – sogneråd – sognerådsformand''. http://helec.dk/Sogneforstanderskab%20og%20sogneraad.pdf [Retrieved 2016-08-15], p. 3</ref> One of the municipalities was the Virring-Essenbæk Municipality, which included Assentoft.<ref name=":3" />
left|thumb|The schools from 1840 (top) and 1907 (bottom). thumb|Essenbæk Church in ca. 1901.<ref>Weitemeyer, Harald (1901). ''J. P. TRAP: KONGERIGET DANMARK. TREDJE OMARBEJDEDE UDGAVE. UNDER MEDVIRKNING AF V. FALBE-HANSEN OG H. WESTERGAARD. UDARBEJDET AF H. WEIETMEYER. FJERDE BIND. HJØRRING, THISTED, AALBORG, VIBORG OG RANDERS AMTER''. Copenhagen, Denmark: Universitstsboghandler G. E. C. Gad, p. 922</ref> In 1840, a new and larger school was built in the village.<ref name=":7">Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 25</ref> The decrepit church in Essenbæk Parish was torn down in the autumn of 1865,<ref>Nielsen, Allan Berg (1984). ''Essenbæk gamle kirke'' in ''Årsskrift 1984''. Auning, Denmark: Lokalhistorisk forening for Sønderhald Kommune og Sønderhald Egnsarkiv, p. 17</ref> and on November 28, 1869, the consecration of a new<ref name=":5" /> Essenbæk Church in Assentoft occurred.<ref name=":4" /> At that time, the village was growing north of the highway.<ref name=":6">Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 18</ref>
In Assentoft, the Savings and Loans Bank of Virring and Essenbæk Parishes (''Virring og Essenbæk Sognes Spare- og Laanekasse'') was established in 1871.<ref name=":3" /> To provide medical assistance for its members,<ref name=":8">Newspaper article in Sønderhald Egnsarkiv (1971). ''Formuen var 50 rigsdaler''.</ref> the Craftmen's Society of Essenbæk Parish (''Essenbæk Sogns Haandværkerforening'') was established on March 6 of the same year,<ref name=":9">Bestyrelsen for Essenbæk Sogns Haandværkerforening (1906). ''LOVE for Essenbæk Sogns Haandværkerforening''. Ørsted, Denmark; Ørsted Bogtrykkeri</ref> and in the summer of 1889, the society built<ref name=":10">Byriel, Ellen (2014). ''Assentoft Kro'' in ''Årsskrift 2014''. Auning, Denmark; Lokalhistorisk Forening for Sønderhald, p. 41</ref> the Foundation of the Craftmen's Society of Essenbæk Parish (''Essenbæk Sogns Haandværkerforenings Stiftelse''),<ref name=":9" /> which was known as Assentoft's village hall; it included a taproom,<ref>Byriel, Ellen (2014). ''Assentoft Kro'' in ''Årsskrift 2014''. Auning, Denmark; Lokalhistorisk Forening for Sønderhald, pp. 40-41</ref> a gathering hall, and six free<ref>Fritfelt, Salomon J. (1956). ''Vort Sogns Historie i 100 Aar''. http://www.vortsognshistorie.dk/record.aspx?ref=050055&hitno=&browse=yes&showfields [Retrieved 2016-08-20], p. 55</ref> retirement homes.<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Denmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, p. 63</ref> Assentoft Waterworks (''Assentoft Vandværk'') was established on May 15, 1895.<ref>Assentoft Vandværk. ''Historie''. http://www.assentoftvand.dk/OM-VANDV%C3%86RKET/Historie.aspx{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [Retrieved 2016-07-22]</ref>
left|thumb|Storegade in ca. 1920, with Assentoft Co-operative Society's store nearest on the right. On January 26, 1900, the Assentoft Cooperative Society (''Assentoft Brugsforening'') was established; its newly built store opened for sale on July 1 of the same year.<ref>Assentoft Brugsforening (2000). ''Assentoft Brugsforening 100 år''. Auning, Denmark; Djurs Gruppen, p. 2</ref> In 1907, a newer and larger school was built in the village,<ref name=":7" /> and Essenbæk Mill, which was rebuilt after a fire on April 23, 1889,<ref>Mariager, Rasmus (1937). ''ESSENBÆK SOGNS HISTORIE: SAMLET OG UDGIVET AF R. Mariager''. Odder, Danmark; Duplikeringsbureauet, s. 86 </ref> was torn down in 1922.<ref>Sønderhald Egnsarkiv. ''ESSENBÆK MØLLE STOD PÅ FORHØJNINGEN TIL HØJRE FOR VEJEN''. https://www.arkiv.dk/vis/2165944 [Retrieved 2016-08-14]</ref>
On July 23, 1937, motorcycle racing occurred for the first time on the Volk Mill (''Volk Mølle'') hills at Essenbæk Farm. The racetrack was ca. 300 meters long with a steep elevation, and motorcycles were converted on site to race there.<ref>Sørensen, Poul Erik (2006). ''Volk Mølle bakker'' in ''Årsskrift 2006''. Auning, Denmark: Lokalhistorisk Forening for Sønderhald og Sønderhald Egnsarkiv, pp. 20-23</ref> In 1939, the Assentoft Sports Club (''Assentoft Idrætsforening'') was established and has participated in series football ever since.<ref name=":11">SIF Assentoft. ''SIF Historien''. http://jac9636.wix.com/assentoft#!historie/c1viv {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507020831/http://jac9636.wix.com/assentoft#!historie/c1viv |date=2016-05-07 }} [Retrieved 2016-07-22]</ref>
All motorcycling races were suspended while the Second World War was fought, but in 1946, hill climbing for motorcycles was raced on the Volk Mill hills. From that time, many of the races on the track could attract 10,000-20,000 spectators. In 1949, the only Danish hill climbing championship was raced there. thumb|The motocross track on Volk Mill hills in 1955<ref>Sørensen, Poul Erik (2006). ''Volk Mølle bakker'' in ''Årsskrift 2006''. Auning, Denmark: Lokalhistorisk Forening for Sønderhald og Sønderhald Egnsarkiv, p. 21</ref> Motocross was first raced on Volk Mill hills on April 20, 1951. The track raced on was 750 meters long. In the autumn of 1954, a 2,500-meter-long track was approved by an international track inspection, and on August 28, 1955, Motocross des Nations was raced there with 24 participants and ca. 40,000 spectators.<ref>Sørensen, Poul Erik (2006). ''Volk Mølle bakker'' in ''Årsskrift 2006''. Auning, Denmark: Lokalhistorisk Forening for Sønderhald og Sønderhald Egnsarkiv, pp. 21-30</ref> The first photograph elected as the World Press Photo of the Year shows a race participant that crashed on the track.<ref>The World Press Photo Foundation (2000). ''A competitor tumbles off his motorcycle during the Motorcross World Championship at the Volk Mølle race course.'' http://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/1955/world-press-photo-year/mogens-haven {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003104419/http://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/1955/world-press-photo-year/mogens-haven |date=2016-10-03 }} [Retrieved 2016-10-22]</ref> left|thumb|The village hall (left) and Essenbæk House (right) in the 1960s. During 1954, there were no retirement homes in the village hall, as they were outmoded,<ref name=":8" /> but on November 6, 1957, the new Essenbæk House (''Essenbækhus'') was opened as a retirement home<ref>Sønderhald Egnsarkiv. ''"ESSENBÆKHUS" PENSIONISTBOLIG, STOREGADE 60, ASSENTOFT''. https://www.arkiv.dk/vis/2165850 [Retrieved 2016-08-14]</ref> in the village hall's previous kitchen garden.<ref name=":10"/> [[File:Volk Mølle banen i 1956.jpg|thumb|The European motocross championship's final on Volk Mill hills September 2, 1956.<ref>Legendre, Antoine (2016). ''Ce titre Européen vaut bien un titre Mondial.'' http://motocross-history.com/article.php?type=edito&titre=Ce%20titre%20Europ%C3%A9en%20vaut%20bien%20un%20titre%20Mondial [Retrieved 2016-10-22]</ref>]] In the 1950s and 1960s, several national and international motocross races, including world championships and both European and Danish championships, occurred on the Volk Mill hills, and trials occurred on the hills from the beginning of the 1960s.<ref>Sørensen, Poul Erik (2006). ''Volk Mølle bakker'' in ''Årsskrift 2006''. Auning, Denmark: Lokalhistorisk Forening for Sønderhald og Sønderhald Egnsarkiv, pp. 28-33</ref> The village's first single-family home neighborhoods were also established at the start of the 1960s; they were built near the western part of Assentoft.<ref name=":12">Randers Kommune (2013). ''Kommuneplan Randers 2013''. http://kommuneplan.randers.dk/dk/planens_indhold/centerbyer/assentoft/assentoft_02.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919213732/http://kommuneplan.randers.dk/dk/planens_indhold/centerbyer/assentoft/assentoft_02.htm |date=2016-09-19 }} [Retrieved 2016-07-22]</ref> Assentoft Sports Club was united with the Langkastrup Gymnastics Association (''Langkastrup Gymnastikforening'')<ref name=":11" /> as Sønderhald Sports Club (''Sønderhald Idrætsforening'') on April 25, 1964.<ref>Idræts- og Kulturcenter Assentoft hallerne (2000). ''Assentoft hallerne 25 år 1975-2000''. Auning, Denmark; Djurs Gruppen, p. 14</ref>
In 1966, the Savings and Loans Bank of Virring and Essenbæk Parishes was acquired by the Savings Bank for Randers Town and Environs (''Sparekassen for Randers By og Omegn''),<ref>Sparekassen Kronjylland. ''HISTORISKE MILEPÆLE''. https://sparkron.dk/om-sparekassen/garantsparekasse/541-historiske-milepaele {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822032536/https://sparkron.dk/om-sparekassen/garantsparekasse/541-historiske-milepaele |date=2016-08-22 }} [Retrieved 2016-08-20]</ref> and in 1968, the village hall was sold; it was refashioned as Assentoft Inn (''Assentoft Kro'').<ref name=":10" /> That same year, the last race with spectators occurred on Volk Mill hills, and in 1969, the last training race occurred there.<ref>Sørensen, Poul Erik (2006). ''Volk Mølle bakker'' in ''Årsskrift 2006''. Auning, Denmark: Lokalhistorisk Forening for Sønderhald og Sønderhald Egnsarkiv, p. 37</ref>
Virring-Essenbæk Municipality was superseded on April 1, 1970 by Sønderhald Municipality,<ref>Norddjurs Kommune. ''Historie''. http://www.norddjurs.dk/norddjurs/generel-information-om-norddjurs/historie {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919065141/http://www.norddjurs.dk/norddjurs/generel-information-om-norddjurs/historie |date=2016-09-19 }} [Retrieved 2016-08-20]</ref> and on November 11, 1970, it decided to establish the residential area of Assentoft East (''Assentoft Øst'') by Essenbæk Farm.<ref>Frandsen, Niels (1972). ''Partiel byplanvedtægt nr. 1 SØNDERHALD KOMMUNE''. Randers, Denmark; Niels Frandsen, landinspektør, pp. 2-5</ref> After February 28, 1973, the municipality decided to expand its residential area with parts of the nearby village (Drastrup) such as the Sønderhald School (''Sønderhaldskolen''),<ref>Wandel, Lars U. (1975). ''Partiel byplanvedtægt nr. 2 SØNDERHALD KOMMUNE''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Miljøministeriet, pp. 2-4</ref> which is now nearly surrounded by Assentoft.<ref name="ipaper.ipapercms.dk">Stadsarkitektens Kontor (2011). ''Assentoft & Drastrup:'' ''Landsbyregistreringen 2011''. http://ipaper.ipapercms.dk/RandersKommune/MiljoogTeknik/stadsarkitekten/Landsbyregistering2011/AssentoftogDrastrup/ [Retrieved 2016-07-22], p. 13</ref>
The Sønderhald School was built from June to October, 1975, and a sports hall, Assentoft Gymnasium (''Assentofthallen''), was opened for use on October 25 of the same year.<ref>Idræts- og Kulturcenter Assentoft hallerne (2000). ''Assentoft hallerne 25 år 1975-2000''. Auning, Denmark; Djurs Gruppen, pp. 3-5</ref> The Essenbæk School (''Essenbækskolen'') was built near the Sønderhald School in 1979.<ref name=":14">Arkitektfirmaet Gorm Nielsen m.a.a. (2012). ''Folkeskolernes fysiske rammer 2012''. http://docplayer.dk/12734806-Soenderhaldskolen-i-dag-kaldet-bc-skolen-bestaar-af-tre-parallelle-klassefloeje-i-en-etage-der-bindes-sammen-af-lave-tvaerbygninger-indeholdende.html [Retrieved 2016-07-24], p. 2.1</ref> A second sports hall was built in Assentoft and opened on November 14, 1980. A community center added to the Assentoft Gymnasiums (''Assentofthallerne,'' which the two sports halls are collectively called) was opened for use in the spring of 1981.<ref>Idræts- og Kulturcenter Assentoft hallerne (2000). ''Assentoft hallerne 25 år 1975-2000''. Auning, Denmark; Djurs Gruppen, p. 6</ref> On November 12, 1986, Randers Municipality decided to establish the industrial area of Virkevangen in Assentoft East,<ref>Christensen, Inga (1987). ''LOKALPLAN 102B SØNDERHALD KOMMUNE''. Randers, Denmark; Retten i Randers, p. 3</ref> and in 1989, the Sønderhald School and the Essenbæk School were united as the Assentoft School (''Assentoftskolen'').<ref name=":14" /> Sønderhald Sports Club became SIF Assentoft in June 2011.<ref>SIF Fodbold Assentoft. ''OM KLUBBEN''. http://fodboldsif.mono.net/om-klubben {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005092139/http://fodboldsif.mono.net/om-klubben |date=2016-10-05 }} [Retrieved 2016-08-20]</ref> <gallery mode="slideshow" caption="The growth of Assentoft " widths="120">
File:Assentoft og omegn 1842-1899.png|Map from 1899 File:Assentoft og omegn 1901-1971.png|Map from 1971 File:Assentoft og omegn 1953-1976.png|Map from 1976 File:Assentoft og omegn 1980-2001.png|Map from 2001 File:Assentoft og omegn 2016.png|Map from 2016 </gallery>
=== Demography === {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="8" |Population |- |1787 |106<ref name=":6" /> |1984 |2,204<ref>Skotte, Anne Marie; Frørup, Ebbe; la Cour, Aage (1986). ''Statistisk Årbog 1986''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0677-5}}, p. 22</ref> |1999 |2,265<ref>Brøndum, Birgitte; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl; Olesen, Poul Erik (1999). ''Statistisk årbog 1999''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-1070-5}}, p. 49</ref> |2012 |3,311<ref name=":18">Danmarks Statistik. ''BY1: Folketal 1. januar efter byområde, alder og køn''. http://www.statistikbanken.dk/BY1 [Retrieved 2016-08-23]</ref> |- |1938 |Ca. 350<ref>Christensen, Inga (1990). ''LOKALPLAN 141 SØNDERHALD KOMMUNE''. Randers, Denmark: Retten i Randers, p. 16</ref> |1985 |2,241<ref>la Cour, Aage; Skotte, Anne Marie; Frørup, Ebbe; Olesen, Poul Erik (1987). ''Statistisk årbog 1987''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0703-8}}, p. 22</ref> |2000 |2,325<ref>Agerskov, Ulla; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl (2000). ''Statistisk Årbog 2000''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-1125-6}}, p. 53</ref> |2013 |3,360<ref name=":18" /> |- |1960 |535<ref>Hansen, Svend A.; Buch, Poul; Jensen, John Bjerregaard (1962). ''Statistisk Årbog 1961''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik, p. 16</ref> |1986 |2,265<ref>Frørup, Ebbe; Andersen, Jette; Skotte, Anne Marie; Olesen, Poul Erik; Schneidermann, Tina (1988). ''Statistisk årbog 1988''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0719-4}}, p. 22</ref> |2001 |2,380<ref name=":13">Agerskov, Ulla; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl (2001). ''Statistisk Årbog 2001''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-1190-6}}, p. 50</ref> |2014 |3,383<ref name=":18" /> |- |1965 |743<ref>Pedersen, Edvard; Pockendahl, Elly (1967). ''Statistisk Årbog 1967''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik, p. 15</ref> |1989 |2,376<ref name=":16">Frørup, Ebbe; Bisgaard, Margrethe; Olesen, Poul Erik; Hermann, Anne (1991). ''Statistisk årbog 1991''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0807-7}}, p. 46</ref> |2002 |2,415<ref name=":13" /> |2015 |3,387<ref name=":18" /> |- |1970 |1,136<ref>Hjulsager, Kristian (1973). ''Statistisk Årbog 1973''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87 501 0242 7}}, p. 8</ref> |1990 |2,373<ref name=":16" /> |2003 |2,406<ref name=":13" /> |2016 |3,427<ref name=":18" /> |- |1976 |1,779<ref>Olsen, N. O. Coops; Skotte, Anne Marie (1979). ''Statistisk Årbog 1979''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0460-8}}, p. 4</ref> |1992 |2,306<ref>Frørup, Ebbe; Bisgaard, Margrethe; Olesen, Poul Erik; Hermann, Anne (1993). ''Statistisk årbog 1993''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0870-0}}, p. 49</ref> |2004 |2,465<ref>Sonne, Philip; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl (2005). ''Statistisk Årbog 2005''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-1457-3}}, p. 49</ref> | | |- |1979 |2,041<ref name=":19">Vesselbo, Eyvind; Skotte, Anne Marie (1982). ''Statistisk Årbog 1982''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0543-4}}, p. 4</ref> |1994 |2,268<ref>Frørup, Ebbe; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl; Olesen, Poul Erik; (1996). ''Statistisk årbog 1996''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0959-6}}, p. 61</ref> |2006 |2,734<ref>Gunnersen, Stefan Jul; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl (2007). ''Statistisk Årbog 2007''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|978-87-501-1611-0}}, p. 31</ref> | | |- |1981 |2,185<ref name=":19" /> |1996 |2,235<ref>Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl; Olesen, Poul Erik(1997). ''Statistisk årbog 1997''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0984-7}}, p. 46</ref> |2008 |2,981<ref>Gunnersen, Stefan Jul; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl (2008). ''Statistisk Årbog 2008''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|978-87-501-1673-8}}, p. 33</ref> | | |- |1982 |2,200<ref name=":19" /> |1997 |2,238<ref name=":17">Brøndum, Birgitte; Bisgaard, Margrethe Pihl; Olesen, Poul Erik (1998). ''Statistisk årbog 1998''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-1022-5}}, p. 45</ref> |2010 |3,205<ref name=":18" /> | | |- |1983 |2,188<ref>Vesselbo, Eyvind; Skotte, Anne Marie (1985). ''Statistisk Årbog 1985''. Copenhagen, Denmark; Danmarks Statistik. {{ISBN|87-501-0653-8}}, p. 15</ref> |1998 |2,210<ref name=":17" /> |2011 |3,262<ref name=":18" /> | | |}
== Geography == thumb|View across Randers Fjord from Volk Mill hills. Most of Assentoft's northern rim lies<ref name=":12" /> on the top of a ca. 50 meters high slope between riverine meadows and moraine hills south of Randers Fjord. Assentoft's erosion gullies<ref name=":0" /> are wooded, and promontories are used for the growth of the town. However, certain parts of the town lie on steep plots closely surrounded by wood and meadows,<ref>Stadsarkitektens Kontor (2011). ''Assentoft & Drastrup:'' ''Landsbyregistreringen 2011''. http://ipaper.ipapercms.dk/RandersKommune/MiljoogTeknik/stadsarkitekten/Landsbyregistering2011/AssentoftogDrastrup/ [Retrieved 2016-07-22], p. 2</ref> and roe deer can be seen grazing in gardens nearby. From the town's southern side, the flatter moraine landscape is seen.<ref name=":0" />
== Infrastructure == The infrastructure in Assentoft consists primarily of residential streets. The town's residential areas east of the Grenå Road, which is south of Assentoft, relieve Storegade, which is also characterized as residential street.<ref name=":20">Stadsarkitektens Kontor (2011). ''Assentoft & Drastrup:'' ''Landsbyregistreringen 2011''. http://ipaper.ipapercms.dk/RandersKommune/MiljoogTeknik/stadsarkitekten/Landsbyregistering2011/AssentoftogDrastrup/ [Retrieved 2016-07-22], p. 5</ref>
== Business == The town contains services, industries,<ref name="ipaper.ipapercms.dk"/> and some retail stores along Storegade.<ref name=":20" />
Assentoft Silo A/S,<ref>Nielsen, Bodil Damgaard (2006). ''En silokrønike''. Assentoft; Denmark. {{ISBN|87-991553-0-3}}, p. 63</ref> which produces low-oxygen steel silos,<ref>Nielsen, Bodil Damgaard (2006). ''En silokrønike''. Assentoft; Denmark. {{ISBN|87-991553-0-3}}, p. 39</ref> was established in the summer of 1940.<ref>Nielsen, Bodil Damgaard (2006). ''En silokrønike''. Assentoft; Denmark. {{ISBN|87-991553-0-3}}, p. 15</ref>
== Education == The Assentoft School is the largest state school in Randers Municipality, having 750 pupils (2013).<ref>Assentoftskolen (2013). ''Assentoftskolens uddannelsesplan for lærerstuderende på 1. årgang''. https://praktik.via.dk/laerer-silkeborg/Uddannelsesplaner/Assentoftskolen.pdf [Retrieved 2016-07-24], p. 3</ref>
== Notable people ==
* Michael Aastrup Jensen (born 1976), politician, Mayor of Randers Town Council in 2002, aged 26.
==References== <references/>
Category:Cities and towns in the Central Denmark Region Category:Randers Municipality