🔍

Tolga

QLD 4882 • Rest of QLD

3,177
Population (2021)
$76,908
Median Household Income
85.42 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
RuralTablelandsAffordable LivingGrowth SuburbFamily-Friendly

About Tolga

Tolga is a rural town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, located 89 kilometres south-west of Cairns at an elevation of 760 metres. The town had a population of 3,177 in the 2021 census and sits within the Tablelands Regional Council. Tolga enjoys a cooler tropical climate compared to coastal Cairns, with average temperatures of 15-26°C and around 1,400mm of annual rainfall.

Known as the centre of the region's peanut industry and home to the Big Peanut, Tolga offers a relaxed rural lifestyle with growing residential developments including Tandara and Panorama Views estates. The Kennedy Highway connects the town to Atherton (7 km south) and Mareeba, providing access to schools, shopping, and medical services. The area attracts families and tree-changers seeking affordable acreage living with proximity to the Tablelands' natural attractions including Tinaroo Dam and the region's extensive trail network.

Tolga falls under postcode 4882 and is governed by Tablelands Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4882
Urban Area
Atherton
LGA / Council
Tablelands
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.19°, 145.46°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
85.42 km²
Elevation
690m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,600
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

8 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North — Atherton, Mareeba, Kuranda, Cairns (incl. airport) 1h 30min to Cairns

Commute to Cairns

Distance
89 km
By Bus
1h 30min (Trans North, limited services)
By Car (Peak)
1h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 10min

🛣️ Atherton (7 km) is the nearest town centre with full services; no rail service to Tablelands

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town with limited footpaths; car essential for daily needs and commuting

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Tablelands Local Government Area, which contains Tolga. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,556.7 / 100k
2yr Up 40.5% 10yr Up 168.9%
Motor vehicle theft
414.2 / 100k
2yr Up 68.5% 10yr Up 154.7%
Non-FV assault
1,156.9 / 100k
2yr Down 12.2% 10yr Up 180.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
35.7 / 100k
2yr Up 62.2% 10yr Up 200.1%
Steal from vehicle
346.3 / 100k
2yr Up 38.8% 10yr Up 30.4%
View all offence categories for Tablelands →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,718
Census 2021
3,177
▲ 16.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,616
Personal Income 2021
$37,180
▲ 17.6% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$37,180 / yr
$715/wk
Household
$76,908 / yr
$1479/wk
Family
$95,524 / yr
$1837/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,432
Born Overseas 440

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 84
  • 2. New Zealand 41
  • 3. Italy 23
  • 4. Papua New Guinea 18
  • 5. Philippines 18
  • 6. Germany 17
  • 7. Netherlands 13
  • 8. United States 11
  • 9. South Africa 10
  • 10. Japan 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,221
English 1,157
Irish 376
Scottish 313
Italian 290
German 179
Australian Aboriginal 119
Dutch 43
New Zealander 28
Welsh 26

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,981
Both parents born in Australia
549
Both parents born overseas
350
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.1%
No Religion
36.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
129 (4.1%)
5-14 years
441 (13.9%)
15-19 years
198 (6.2%)
20-24 years
113 (3.6%)
25-34 years
367 (11.6%)
35-44 years
378 (11.9%)
45-54 years
389 (12.2%)
55-64 years
436 (13.7%)
65-74 years
445 (14.0%)
75-84 years
229 (7.2%)
85+ years
55 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tolga known for? +

Tolga is a small suburban locality in QLD with approximately 3177 residents, known for its quiet character and proximity to Brisbane and surrounding services.

How far is Tolga from Brisbane CBD? +

Tolga is approximately 1382 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. The drive typically takes 1h 10min outside peak hours, though most residents use local regional centres rather than commuting to the capital CBD.

Does Tolga have public transport? +

Public transport in Tolga is very limited. There is no rail service, and bus connections to major centres are infrequent or unavailable. A private vehicle is strongly recommended.

What is the population of Tolga? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tolga has a population of approximately 3,177 residents.

Is Tolga a good place to live? +

Tolga suits those who appreciate a modest community-oriented neighbourhood with access to local services. Residents typically travel to larger towns for comprehensive services.

What is the postcode for Tolga? +

The postcode for Tolga, QLD is 4882.

What is the average income in Tolga? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Tolga is about $715 per week (around $37,200 per year). The median household income is $1,479 per week and the median family income is $1,837 per week.

What is the age profile of Tolga? +

The median age in Tolga is 44. The largest age group is 65–74 (445 residents, around 14%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Tolga a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Tolga is part of the Tablelands LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Tolga? +

In Tolga, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,600 (2021 Census).