Sörforsa is located in the historical landskap of Hälsingland, which together with Gästrikland form Gävleborgs Län. It also lies in the historical socken of Forsa which merged in recent years with Hög parish to form Forsa-Hög församling. In 1898 the Holma-Helsinglands Linspinneri och Väfveri AB opened in Sörforsa. This was a flax spinning factory to take advantage of the abundant flax production in the region. The spun thread then went to weavers in other parts of the country.