Median house price
$495k
+10% change
VIC · Campaspe Council
Tongala, 3621
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,927
Growth (1 yr)
+0.1%
Growth (5 yr)
-2.6%
Median age
41
Median income
$1,220/wk
Employment rate
56.1%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$495,000
Languages at home
3.4%non-English
Most common: Arabic, Malayalam, Filipino
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Away from the major hubs, Tongala is a smaller community in Campaspe Council with its own quieter rhythm. Regional towns and local services do more of the everyday heavy lifting than the city. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street.
Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away. Open space is thinner than in many regional towns, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Residents can rely on buses for getting around locally and across the city.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment, plus schools and education compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum remain brighter spots.
At a glance
Tongala snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,927
+0.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.8%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#31
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
56th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
44th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
38th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 50.2/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 37% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2143rd in Australia
- State rank
- 462nd in VIC
- Peer rank
- #31 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #116 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $495,000
- Median price change
- +10%
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
1,927(June 2025)
+0.1% annual · -2.6% over 5 years · 44th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.1%
- 5-year growth
- -2.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +1
- Change in 5 years
- -52
- Growth rank in VIC
- 44th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,950), extrapolated at -0.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,973
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,220
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 54 of 800
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,127
- Employment rate
- 56.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 662 / 49 / 0 (+ 26 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 115
- Against the person
- 27
- Against property
- 38
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 59.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 73 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55.6th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5%
Most common offence types
- A211 Fv Serious Assault6
- B21 Criminal Damage6
- B49 Other Theft6
- E13 Resist Or Hinder Officer7
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order34
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 979.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 38th
School list
- Tongala Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 965 · 31th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 140 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 994 · 44th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 95 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Tongala Childcarechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- Mangan St/Henderson Rd
- Mangan St/Henderson Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
57 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 1 sports centres · 8 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Strong local sport and recreation — 10 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 49/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.52
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(3)
- Tongala BakeryBakery
- Tonny TakeawayFast food
- Tongala Hotel MotelPub
Shopping(3)
- Tongala Top CutsButcher
- Tongala IGA plus LiquorSupermarket
31 Mangan Street, Tongala
Community(5)
- Tongala ChildcareChildcare
- Tongala Community Centre Inc.Community centre
- Tongala Service CentreCommunity centre
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolSchool
32-34 Mangan Street
- Tongala Primary SchoolSchool
28 Miller Street
Health & services(2)
- Tongala HealthMedical clinic
- Tongala PharmacyPharmacy
46 Mangan Street, Tongala
Sport & outdoors(10)
- Tongala Bowls ClubSports centre
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (8)
Other(32)
- LiquorsaversAlcohol
- Tongala IGA plus LiquorAlcohol
- Bendigo BankBank
- Embrace BeautyBeauty salon
116 Mangan Street, Tongala
- Tongala Caravan ParkCamp Site
23 Finlay Road, Tongala
- Christian Jenner Automotive RepairsCar repair
Tongala
- Ross Nevett AutomotiveCar repair
- Sam Mcleod AutomotiveCar repair
58-60 Mangan Street, Tongala
- Golden CowDairy
- Home Timber & HardwareDoityourself
7-11 Mangan Street, Tongala
- Tongala CFAFire station
- TongalaInformation
- The Wash HouseLaundry
- Tongala Hotel MotelMotel
- Lawn Bowls Car ParkParking
- Parking (4)
- Tongala Bowls ClubParking
- Liberty TongalaPetrol station
29-31 Henderson Road, Tongala
- Tongala Food and FuelPetrol station
29-31 Henderson Road, Tongala
- Embrace ChurchPlace of worship
- Tongala Police StationPolice
72 Miller Street
- Tongala Police StationPolice
72 Miller Street, Tongala
- Australia PostPost Box
- Tongala LPOPost office
88 Mangan Street, Tongala
- Public toilets
- Tongala Sound ShellPublic toilets
- Op ShopSecond Hand
- Guide-scouts CentreSocial Facility
- Tongala and Distrcit Memorial AgedSocial Facility
- Tongala and District Memorial AgedSocial Facility
18 Memorial Drive, Tongala
- TelstraTelephone
- Tongala ClinicYes
44 Mangan Street, Tongala
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Embrace Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Kyabram Hospital (10.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Tongala ClinicMangan StreetYes
- Tongala HealthDoctor
- Tongala PharmacyMangan StreetPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 66
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.3
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 30° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 89 mm · ~11 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 106 mm · ~13 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 4°
- Rainfall
- 120 mm · ~15 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 122 mm · ~15 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
29 planning-related records
2021· 17 proposals
August 2021
- Removal of a condition in the nature of an easement in a Crown Grant pursuant to Clause 52.021175 GRIFFIN ROAD TONGALA 3621Permit issued by the RA
- Vicsmart - Buildings and works (agricultural shed) in the Farming Zone Schedule 11950 MATHESON ROAD TONGALA 3621Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- VICSMART Buildings and works (outbuilding) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1476 HENDERSON ROAD TONGALA 3621Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Buildings and works (wash bay) in the Industrial 1 Zone5 Eddie Hann DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Use and development of the land for a dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 12373 CURR ROAD TONGALA 3621Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works (Storage buildings) in the Industrial 1 Zone5 GREINER COURT TONGALA 3621Permit issued by the RA
- Subdivision of the land into 23 lots in the Township Zone and removal of an easement (E-1) pursuant to Clause 52.02715 HENDERSON ROAD TONGALA 3621NOD issued by a delegate
- Subdivision of the land into two lots in the Township Zone715 Henderson RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Building and Works (extension to factory building) associated with an Existing Section 2 Use (Abattoir) in the Industrial 2 Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay2121 Finlay RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works (replacement dwelling) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay1569 MCBAIN ROAD TONGALA 3621Permit issued by the RA
April 2021
- Use and development of the land for a dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 and buildings and works (outbuilding) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay410 Day RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Building and Works (Portable Office, Cattle Yards and Earthworks) associated with an Existing Section 2 Use (Abattoir) in the Industrial 2 Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and car parking pursuant to Clause 52.062121 Finlay RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works (Dwelling extension) in the Farming Zone Schedule 11752 Graham RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Buildings and Works (Swimming Pool) in the Farming Zone Schedule 11657 Wilson RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Building and Works (Portable Office, Cattle Yards and Earthworks) associated with an Existing Section 2 Use (Abattoir) in the Industrial 2 Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and car parking pursuant to Clause 52.062121 Finlay RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Buildings and Works (demolition of chimney and external alterations) in the Heritage Overlay Schedule 5144 Cavell StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision of the land into two lots in the Township Zone and partial removal of an easement pursuant to Clause 52.0220 Torney StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 12 proposals
October 2020
- Use and development of the land for a dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 11822 SINCLAIR ROAD TONGALA 3621Refusal issued by a delegate
September 2020
- Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 22163 Curr RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works (outbuilding) in the Farming Zone Schedule 11799 Curr RoadPermit issued by the RA
August 2020
- Buildings and works (replacement dwelling) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1956 Day RoadPermit issued by the RA
- Use and Development of the land for a dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay2004 Sinclair RoadPermit issued by the RA
- Re-Subdivision of the Land into Two Lots and Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay1391 Wilson RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Development of the land for 47 dwellings in the Township Zone715 Henderson RoadRefusal issued by a delegate
May 2020
- Use and Development of the land for a child care centre in the Township Zone and alteration to a Road Zone Category 1 pursuant to Clause 52.29715 Henderson RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Use and development of the land for a dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 2566 Henderson RoadPermit issued by the RA
March 2020
- Buildings and Works (Amenity building) in the Industrial 1 Zone3-5 Henderson RoadPermit issued by the RA
- Building & Works (agricultural shed) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.717 Griffin RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2020
- Subdivision of the Land into 25 Lots in the Township Zone, Variation to Easements pursuant to Clause 52.02 and Removal of Native Vegetation pursuant to Clause 52.17OffNOD issued by a delegate
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Nicholls
- Member of Parliament
- Sam BIRRELL (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 121,390
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +35.6 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 64.4%Labor 35.6%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 19.8 km away).
Coalition 74.5%Labor 25.5%
10.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +25.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- TongalaLabor 26.3% · Coalition 73.7% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Ky ValleyLabor 13.7% · Coalition 86.3% TPP (2025)5.3 km away
- Kyabram WestLabor 30.4% · Coalition 69.6% TPP (2025)9.9 km away
- KyabramLabor 33.1% · Coalition 66.8% TPP (2025)11.0 km away
- LancasterLabor 25.2% · Coalition 74.8% TPP (2025)16.4 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Campaspe Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.