Until 1 January 2007 Gråsten was the seat of the former Gråsten municipality (Danish, kommune) in South Jutland County, covering an area of 57km2, and with a total population of 7,256 (2005). Its last mayor was Bendt Olesen, a member of the Social Democrats (Socialdemokraterne) political party. The municipality was created in 1970 due to a kommunalreform ("Municipality Reform") that combined the following parishes: Gråsten, Kværs, Rinkenæs, and Adsbøl.