🔍

Tongarra

NSW 2527 • New South Wales

141
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
22.02 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralIllawarraLifestyleCoastal HinterlandNSW South Coast
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About Tongarra

Tongarra is a quiet rural locality in the City of Shellharbour, situated in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, approximately 30 kilometres west-southwest of Wollongong and 121 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of 141 at the 2021 census, it remains essentially untouched by urban development, retaining its pastoral and semi-rural character. The locality sits at an elevation of around 55 metres and is nestled between the Macquarie Pass escarpment and the developing growth corridor to the east. It neighbours Albion Park to the east and Calderwood to the north.

Tongarra offers a peaceful alternative for those seeking rural seclusion while remaining within reach of the Illawarra's coastal lifestyle and employment centres. Wollongong, with its beaches, university, hospital, and retail precincts, is a 30-minute drive away, and Albion Park offers everyday conveniences much closer. The Shellharbour LGA is experiencing steady population growth, and fringe localities like Tongarra sit adjacent to this expansion, though the locality itself has been preserved from subdivision.

Tongarra falls under postcode 2527 and is governed by the Shellharbour Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Whitlam, while state elections fall under the Shellharbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2527
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Shellharbour
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Shellharbour
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.58°, 150.75°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
22.02 km²
Population Density
6 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2527

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2527, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$50,231
Median 2023–24
$62,201
▲ 23.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$71,941

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2527; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Albion Park
5.5 km
65
Unanderra
14 km
Drive required

Bus Services

  • Premier Illawarra local routes — Albion Park / Shellharbour / Wollongong 25-45 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
121 km
By Train
Drive to Unanderra or Dapto, then ~1 hr 40 min to Sydney Central
By Bus
Limited; not practical for Sydney commute
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min – 1 hr 50 min via Princes Motorway (M1)
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 20 min

🛣️ Wollongong CBD (30 km, ~30 min drive) is the more practical employment centre

Walkability Car-Dependent

Rural locality with very limited footpaths or public amenity; a private vehicle is required for daily needs.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
141
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Shellharbour Local Government Area, which contains Tongarra. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
201.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.4%
Motor vehicle theft
182.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
267.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
331 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.2%
View all 62 offence types for Shellharbour →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tongarra known for? +

Tongarra is known as a quiet rural locality offering pastoral landscapes and acreage living within the City of Shellharbour. It provides a peaceful alternative to the busy coastal suburbs while remaining close to the Illawarra coast.

How far is Tongarra from Wollongong? +

Tongarra is approximately 30-35 kilometres south of Wollongong CBD, with a drive time of around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.

Does Tongarra have public transport? +

Public transport in Tongarra is very limited. Residents primarily rely on private vehicles, with the nearest train stations at Shellharbour Junction or Albion Park Rail providing connections to Wollongong and Sydney.

What is the population of Tongarra? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tongarra has a population of approximately 141 residents, making it a small rural community within the City of Shellharbour.

Is Tongarra a good place to live? +

Tongarra suits those seeking a rural lifestyle close to the Illawarra coast. It offers space and seclusion while remaining within reasonable reach of Shellharbour Village, Wollongong, and the region's beaches.

What is the postcode for Tongarra? +

The postcode for Tongarra is 2527.

Is Tongarra a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Tongarra is part of the Shellharbour 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.