Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Tongala has an estimated 1,949 residents. Density is about 17 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to ABS population updates and new address files verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Tongala has a population of approximately 1,949 residents in May 2026. This indicates a loss of 24 residents (1.2%) from the 1,973 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch calculated this updated figure of 1,949 by analyzing the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside 41 newly confirmed addresses since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 17.4 persons per square kilometer, suggesting residents enjoy spacious surroundings. Although the suburb of Tongala recorded a 1.2% reduction in residents since the 2021 Census, this decline was less severe than the -2.1% recorded across the SA3 region.
Population increases in the area were almost exclusively driven by overseas arrivals, which acted as the sole source of net migration gains recently. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline are applied by AreaSearch for SA2 regions. For locations lacking this data, projections from the 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA release are used, adjusted by weighting and aggregating population changes from LGA to SA2 tiers. Age group growth rates derived from these models are applied to all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Based on these demographic models, the suburb of Tongala is expected to experience population expansion exceeding the median for national non-metropolitan zones, with projections indicating a rise of 343 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 17.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
25 new dwellings have been approved in Tongala over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 2.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals allocated to the area shows that the suburb of Tongala averages roughly 5 new residential approvals annually, totaling 25 approved homes during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, plus 8 approvals in FY-26. Because the local population decreased recently, the volume of new completions has likely satisfied current demand and provided options for buyers. The average estimated value of these new builds is $391,000, which is moderately higher than regional averages and suggests a focus on quality builds. Commercial development approvals reached $7.7 million during the current financial year, which highlights the predominantly residential makeup of the area.
The rate of approvals for new dwellings per person in the suburb of Tongala is about two-thirds of the rate seen in the Rest of Vic. and places it in the 16th percentile nationally, indicating fewer options for buyers and boosting demand for pre-existing homes. This approval level is also below the national rate, showing local market maturity and suggesting potential limitations on development. Furthermore, new housing construction consisted entirely of detached homes, preserving the low-density style of the area and focusing on family properties for buyers wanting space. The ratio of 975 people per single dwelling approval highlights the quiet nature of local construction activity. Looking forward, the latest quarterly figures from AreaSearch project that the suburb of Tongala will add 343 residents by 2041. If the current rate of construction persists, the supply of housing may not keep pace with this population growth, which could increase competition among buyers and support stronger growth in property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Tongala
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 66 current infrastructure and development projects close to Tongala, worth an estimated $5.58 billion. 22 are already under construction and 21 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Changes in infrastructure projects, development planning, and major public works significantly impact regional growth. In total, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a probable impact on this locality. Notable regional works include the Shepparton Line Upgrade, the Regional Housing Fund, Victorian Renewable Energy Zones, and the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West), with details on the most relevant initiatives listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Echuca Regional Health Infrastructure Upgrade
Major upgrade to Echuca Regional Health facilities including new emergency department, expanded surgical facilities, and improved patient accommodation.
McMahon's Place Estate
Master-planned residential community delivering over 1,000 homes across more than 100 hectares of former farmland in Echuca West. Lots range from 480 to 800 sqm. The estate features 6.9 hectares of open space including parks, wetlands, walking tracks, playgrounds, and a full-sized sports oval. Smart home features include fibre optic NBN. Civil works on Stages 1 and 2 commenced August 2025 with land titles expected late 2026. The project is expected to increase Echuca's housing stock by over 10% and inject $1.6 billion into the regional economy.
Echuca-Moama Bridge Project
The largest transport infrastructure project in northern Victoria completed in 2022. A second bridge crossing connecting Echuca and Moama via the Campaspe and Murray rivers with new 4.5km walking and cycling pathway.
Perricoota Parklands Estate
Moama's newest residential estate featuring 3 stages with lot sizes starting at 753sqm. Located between Lakeview, Perricoota Run, Dungala Rise and The Vines Estates. Developer discounts available on remaining Stage 1 allotments.
Yallarah Estate
Yallarah is a landmark 142-hectare masterplanned community in Echuca West by Wel.Co, designed to deliver over 2,000 homesites. Civil construction has officially commenced. It features lot sizes from 420sqm to 2,000sqm, a future early learning centre, a large display village, and extensive outdoor lifestyle amenities including walking and cycling paths near the Murray River.
Victoria Park Multipurpose Community and Emergency Relief Centre
Redevelopment of Victoria Park in Echuca into a multipurpose community and emergency relief centre. Features a 400-seat accessible grandstand, community facility with change rooms, function space (250 seated/400 standing), emergency relief centre with companion animal shelter, 99kW solar system, upgraded playground and sealed car parking. The entire facility, including the new community building and emergency relief centre, was officially opened on 29 November 2025.
Dungala Rise Estate
Premium residential development featuring wide tree-lined streets and large allotments averaging 1,100sqm. Located near Three Black Sheep Cafe with future planned parkland and cycle path to Rich River Golf Club.
Moama Shopping Complex Development
Proposed expansion of retail and commercial facilities in central Moama to serve the growing residential developments and tourist population.
919 residents of Tongala are employed, from a labour force of 957. Unemployment sits at 4.0%, with participation at 61.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,781, about 91% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The workforce in the suburb of Tongala is balanced between white and blue collar jobs, with significant representation in industrial and manufacturing fields, a low unemployment rate of 4.0%, and annual employment growth estimated at 1.7% based on aggregated regional statistics. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 919, while the unemployment rate was 0.3% higher than the 3.7% rate in Regional Vic., and the participation rate matched the Regional Vic. average of 61.1%. Census data showed that a low 13.2% of residents worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.
The primary sectors employing residents are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. The suburb of Tongala has a strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share that is 2.2 times the regional average. By comparison, construction accounts for only 6.5% of the local workforce, which is lower than the 10.4% recorded across Regional Vic. A comparison of the local working population against the resident population suggests a lack of local job opportunities. Based on SALM and ABS statistics aggregated for the area, employment rose by 1.7% over the 12 months to March 2026, while the labour force expanded by 3.5%, leading to a rise in the unemployment rate of 1.7 percentage points. This differed from Regional Vic., where employment fell by 0.1%, the workforce shrank by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide further context for future employment demand. These projections for five and ten-year periods were mapped against local employment to estimate future trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change differ by sector. Applying these national projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment for the suburb of Tongala should rise by 5.3% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Tongala is $1,220 a week (about $63,000 a year), with median personal income at $656 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,139 a year against an average of $50,928. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest postcode ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Tongala recorded a median income of $44,139 and an average income of $50,928. These figures are below national averages, and compare to a median of $50,954 and average of $62,728 in Regional Vic. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $48,385 for the median and $55,827 for the average. In the 2021 Census, local household, family, and personal incomes all placed between the 14th and 20th percentiles nationally.
The largest income bracket contains 30.4% of residents (592 people) earning between $800 and $1,499, whereas the wider region is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 30.3%. Although living costs are low, leaving residents with 87.8% of their income, total disposable income ranks in the 19th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Tongala had 744 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 0% apartments. 39% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,127 a month. Rent absorbs 16.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Tongala consisted of 89.8% standalone houses and 10.1% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, apartments, or other units, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings in Regional Vic. Home ownership in the suburb of Tongala stood at 37.5%, which was slightly lower than the regional rate, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (39.4%) or rented (23.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,127 was lower than the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, and the median weekly rent was $200 compared to the regional figure of $285.
Nationally, local mortgage costs are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Tongala counted 744 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 27% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 66.7% of all households, with couples with children accounting for 26.5%, couples without children making up 28.0%, and single-parent households representing 11.1%. Non-family households represent the remaining 33.3%, which is comprised of lone person households at 32.1% and group households at 1.9%. The median household size is 2.4 residents, which is identical to the average for Regional Vic.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.5% of adults in Tongala hold a university qualification, including 8.2% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 33.0% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 228 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 981 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational outcomes in the area show that university qualification rates are 10.5%, which is lower than the Victorian state average of 33.4%. This gap represents a challenge as well as a target for educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees account for 8.2%, postgraduate degrees represent 1.3%, and graduate diplomas make up 1.0%. Vocational skills are common, with 43.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, split between advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 33.0%. Participation in study is high, with 28.0% of residents enrolled in an educational program.
This student population includes 11.8% in primary schools, 8.2% in high schools, and 1.1% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Tongala means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of public transit options shows 2 active transport stops in the suburb of Tongala. These locations are served by 2 distinct routes, which provide a combined total of 22 passenger trips each week. Transit access is low, with residents living an average of 603 meters from their closest stop. As the area is mostly residential, many workers travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 92% of commuters, while 6% walk. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low proportion of 13.2% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.
Service frequency averages 3 trips daily across all routes, which translates to roughly 11 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.6% of residents in Tongala report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 80% of areas nationally. 8.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics indicate notable challenges for the suburb of Tongala based on mortality and chronic illness rates across younger and older demographics, with private health insurance coverage levels being low at roughly 47% of the population (~917 people). This compares to 50.5% in Regional Vic. and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues reported were arthritis, affecting 10.9% of residents, and mental health conditions, affecting 8.5%. Meanwhile, 62.6% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age cohort has elevated rates of chronic illness, and 23.9% of the population is aged 65 and over (465 people).
Seniors face health difficulties, with their national rankings matching those of the broader local community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Tongala is largely Australian-born, at 91.8% of residents, with 3.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (37.6%) and English (31.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in the suburb of Tongala is lower than average, with citizens making up 91.5% of the population, 91.8% of residents born in Australia, and 96.6% speaking only English at home. The primary religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 46.2% of residents. Islam is the most notably overrepresented non-Christian faith at 0.8% of the population, compared to 1.0% across Regional Vic. Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are Australian at 37.6% (compared to a regional average of 29.6%), English at 31.2%, and Scottish at 8.7%. There are also differences in other backgrounds, with Dutch heritage accounting for 1.8% of the population (versus 1.7% regionally), Filipino at 1.5% (versus 0.6%), and Lebanese at 0.3% (versus 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Tongala is 41. 23.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age in the suburb of Tongala is 41 years, which is below the Regional Vic. average of 43 years but higher than the national median of 38 years. Children aged 5 to 14 represent 13.4% of residents, which is a higher proportion than in Regional Vic., while the 35 to 44 age group is smaller at 10.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 10.7% to 12.0%, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 6.7% to 7.8%, while the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 11.9% to 10.1%.
Age projections for 2041 indicate that the 25 to 34 cohort will see the highest growth at 48%, adding 107 residents to reach 334, while the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Tongala
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 41 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,973 at the 2021 Census → 1,949 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL22528). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.