| Competition: | 1. divisjon |
| Season: | 1979 |
| Winners: | Viking 6th title |
| Relegated: | Hamarkameratene Mjøndalen Brann |
| Continentalcup1: | European Cup |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Viking |
| Continentalcup3: | UEFA Cup |
| Continentalcup3 Qualifiers: | Moss |
| Matches: | 132 |
| Total Goals: | 352 |
| League Topscorer: | Odd Iversen (16 goals) |
| Biggest Home Win: | (11 June 1979) |
| Biggest Away Win: | (13 May 1979) (14 June 1979) (18 June 1979) (1 October 1979) |
| Highest Scoring: | (22 April 1979) |
| Longest Wins: | Start (5 games) |
| Longest Unbeaten: | Moss (12 games) |
| Longest Winless: | Brann (12 games) |
| Longest Losses: | Brann (6 games) |
| Highest Attendance: | 15,783 (22 April 1979) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 1,494 (14 October 1979) |
| Average Attendance: | 6,238 12.7% |
| Dates: | 22 April – 14 October |
| Prevseason: | 1978 |
| Nextseason: | 1980 |
The 1979 1. divisjon was the 35th completed season of top division football in Norway.
It was contested by 12 teams, and Viking FK won their sixth league title.
Note: Table lists in un-alphabetical order.
| Team | Location | Stadium | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodø/Glimt | 3 | Bodø | Aspmyra Stadion | |
| Brann | 27 | Bergen | Brann Stadion | |
| Bryne | 4 | Bryne | Bryne Stadion | |
| Hamarkameratene | 9 | Hamar | Briskeby | |
| Lillestrøm | 16 | Lillestrøm | Åråsen Stadion | |
| Mjøndalen | 12 | Mjøndalen | Nedre Eiker Stadion | |
| Moss | 6 | Moss | Melløs Stadion | |
| Rosenborg | 16 | Trondheim | Lerkendal Stadion | |
| Skeid | 30 | Oslo | ||
| Start | 12 | Kristiansand | Kristiansand Stadion | |
| Vålerengen | 24 | Oslo | Bislett Stadion | |
| Viking | 32 | Stavanger | Stavanger Stadion |
Odd Iversen, Vålerengen – 18 goals