Tongala, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Tongala VIC is 1,973 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Tongala is $656 per week ($34,112 per year). Median rent in Tongala is $200 per week ($867 per month). Tongala has a median age of 41 years, older than the national median of 38. Tongala has a population density of 18 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Tongala is England. The most common religion is No religion (48.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Arabic. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Tongala is $1,127.

There were 131 recorded offences in Tongala in 2025-25, a rate of 66 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (41 offences).

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Tongala Map

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Tongala Population

1,973 residents at the 2021 Census.

Tongala Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$656/wk

$34,112 per year

Ranked 6,231 of 14,663

Median Rent

$200/wk

$867 per month

Ranked 7,374 of 14,663

Median Age

41years

3 years older than the national median

Mortgage

$1,127/mo

Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

Tongala Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.4% (997) Female 49.6% (981)

Population Density

people per km²

1,973 people · 112.0 km²

Households

2.4

Avg household size

0.8

Persons per bedroom

$1,504

Family income/wk

Tongala Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Tongala Home Ownership

Of owner-occupied homes in Tongala, 48.6% are owned outright and 51.4% have a mortgage.

Owned outright

48.6%

Owned with mortgage

51.4%

Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
India

Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Tongala Religion

No religion

48.2%

Catholic

17.9%

Anglican

11.6%

Not stated

7.1%

Uniting Church

4.8%

Presbyterian and Reformed

3.0%

Christian (other)

2.5%

Pentecostal

1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Tongala Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

38.4%

Year 10 or equivalent

27.6%

Year 11 or equivalent

22.3%

Year 9 or equivalent

11.7%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Arabic
Malayalam
Thai
Filipino
Spanish
Punjabi

Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Tongala Employment

Employed full-time

35.0% 489 people

Employed part-time

21.3% 298 people

Unemployed

3.1% 43 people

Not in labour force

40.5% 566 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Tongala Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

56.6%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

19.9%

Bachelor Degree

15.6%

Certificate I/II

3.7%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

2.2%

Postgraduate Degree

2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Tongala Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers

17.7%

Managers

16.3%

Professionals

16.3%

Community & Personal Service

14.8%

Labourers

11.6%

Clerical & Administrative

8.6%

Sales Workers

7.4%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

7.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Tongala Field of Study

Engineering

19.7%

Society & Culture

16.4%

Management & Commerce

12.9%

Health

11.2%

Agriculture & Environment

10.6%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

8.9%

Education

8.5%

Architecture & Building

6.0%

Natural & Physical Sciences

2.5%

Creative Arts

1.9%

Information Technology

1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

Tongala Dwelling Types

Separate house

93.1%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

6.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Tongala Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

2.0%

$1-$149/wk

1.0%

$150-$299/wk

1.6%

$300-$399/wk

2.2%

$400-$499/wk

10.7%

$500-$649/wk

5.5%

$650-$799/wk

9.1%

$800-$999/wk

8.9%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

10.7%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

10.8%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

5.0%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.7%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

11.2%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

5.5%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

4.2%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

1.0%

$4,000+/wk

3.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Tongala Marital Status

Married

46.1% 724

Separated

3.5% 55

Divorced

11.3% 177

Widowed

6.7% 106

Never married

32.4% 509

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Tongala Ancestry

Australian

48.3%

English

40.1%

Scottish

11.2%

Irish

9.8%

German

3.2%

Australian Aboriginal

3.0%

Dutch

2.3%

Italian

2.1%

Filipino

1.9%

Indian

0.9%

New Zealander

0.6%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Tongala School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

32.4%

Secondary — Government

18.7%

Vocational Education

13.7%

Secondary — Catholic

12.5%

Primary — Catholic

10.6%

Pre-school

10.3%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Tongala Need for Assistance

Needs assistance

9.0%

No need for assistance

91.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Tongala Volunteering

Volunteer

19.1% 281

Not a volunteer

80.9% 1,190

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Tongala Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

6.7%

$300-$449/mo

4.3%

$450-$599/mo

4.7%

$600-$799/mo

12.3%

$800-$999/mo

11.5%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

28.5%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

17.0%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

10.7%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

1.6%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Tongala How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

76.3%

Did not go to work

10.4%

Car (passenger)

5.1%

Walked only

4.9%

Truck

1.2%

Bicycle

1.2%

Motorbike/Scooter

0.5%

Other

0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Tongala Car Ownership

0 vehicles

4.0%

1 vehicle

31.5%

2 vehicles

39.3%

3 vehicles

16.9%

4+ vehicles

8.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Tongala Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

3.7%

2 bedrooms

13.2%

3 bedrooms

56.5%

4 bedrooms

21.9%

5 bedrooms

4.0%

6+ bedrooms

0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Tongala Population Mobility

12.0%

moved in the last year

32.6%

moved in the last 5 years

4.3%

unemployment rate (Census)

58.6%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Tongala Indigenous Population

3.9%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Tongala Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

199

Arthritis

102

Asthma

Diabetes

Heart disease

Lung condition

Kidney disease

Cancer

Stroke

Dementia

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Tongala Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

9.8%

$1-$149/wk

4.7%

$150-$299/wk

7.0%

$300-$399/wk

5.4%

$400-$499/wk

7.1%

$500-$649/wk

4.3%

$650-$799/wk

14.0%

$800-$999/wk

11.1%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

14.3%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

8.2%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

6.0%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

2.8%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

3.6%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

0.3%

$3,500+/wk

1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Tongala Family Structure

Couple — children under 15

40.3%

Couple — no children

29.3%

Couple — no children under 15

14.0%

One parent — children under 15

11.5%

One parent — no children under 15

5.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Tongala Military Service

Previously served

2.2% 32

Never served

97.8% 1,433

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Tongala Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

13.1% 190

Did not provide

86.9% 1,261

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Tongala Children Ever Born

No children

25.4%

1 child

8.6%

2 children

27.3%

3 children

21.3%

4 children

13.8%

5+ children

3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

Tongala When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

1971–1980

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

2011–2015

2016

2017

2019

2020

2021

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Tongala Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

19.6%

5–14 hours

27.3%

15–29 hours

13.5%

30+ hours

10.4%

Did not do domestic work

29.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Tongala Household Size

1 person

32.1%

2 persons

31.8%

3 persons

12.3%

4 persons

12.7%

5 persons

7.2%

6+ persons

3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Tongala Where Residents Moved From

Same address

1,621

Moved from VIC

103

Moved — same area (SA2)

Moved from NSW

Moved from NT

Moved from QLD

Moved from overseas

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Tongala Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

89.7%

Blended family — no other children

6.7%

Step family — no other children

3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Tongala Crime Statistics

131 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Assault

Justice Procedures

Theft

Property Damage

Break & Enter

Weapons

Drug Offences

Fraud

Public Order

Other

Total offences by year

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

Tongala Schools

schools nearby

government

980

avg ICSEA score

235

total students

St Patrick's School Catholic

Primary · Prep-6 · 95 students

994

ICSEA

Tongala Primary School Government

Primary · Prep-6 · 140 students

965

ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Tongala, with a map

Tongala Rent Prices & Affordability

16% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,220/wk

Median rent $200/wk

Rent to income 16.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Tongala against your income

Your weekly income

About $5,287 a month

Median rent $200/wk

Left after rent $1,020/wk

Rent share 16.4%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Nathalia

Income: $628/wk Rent: $194/wk $6/wk less rent

Heywood

Income: $622/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent

Warracknabeal

Income: $637/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent

Ouyen

Income: $614/wk Rent: $165/wk $35/wk less rent

Dimboola

Income: $575/wk Rent: $170/wk $30/wk less rent

Donald

Income: $604/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent

St Arnaud

Income: $560/wk Rent: $188/wk $12/wk less rent

Cohuna

Income: $594/wk Rent: $185/wk $15/wk less rent

Tongala vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Tongala is $656 a week, 14% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 977th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $200 a week, $116 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 16.4% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 41, 2 years younger than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
Measure	Tongala	Typical VIC	Typical Australia
Personal income	$656/wk	$767/wk	$766/wk
Household income	$1,220/wk	$1,687/wk	$1,637/wk
Rent	$200/wk	$316/wk	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$1,127/mo	$1,723/mo	$1,733/mo
Median age	41	43	42
Rent share of household income	16.4%	19.1%	20.3%

Suburbs near Tongala

The closest suburb to Tongala is Kyabram, 11.4 km away.

Kyabram

11.4 km away · income $636/wk · rent $220/wk

Compare Tongala

Frequently Asked Questions About Tongala

What is the population of Tongala VIC?

The population of Tongala VIC is 1,973 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 18 people per km².Tongala is ranked #3,051 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Tongala?

The median personal income in Tongala VIC is $656 per week, or $34,112 per year.The median household income is $1,220 per week.Family income is $1,504 per week.Tongala is ranked #6,231 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Tongala?

Median rent in Tongala VIC is $200 per week ($867 per month).Rent represents 16.4% of household income, which is considered affordable.Tongala ranks #7,374 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Tongala?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Tongala VIC is $1,127. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Tongala?

The median age in Tongala VIC is 41 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Tongala a good suburb to live in?

Tongala is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 1,973.The median income is $656/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk).Rent affordability is rated as affordable (16.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 22528. All dollar figures in AUD.