Toba Regency is a landlocked regency in North Sumatra. Its seat is Balige. The regency covers an area of 2,021.8 square kilometres; it had a population of 173,129 at the 2010 census and 206,199 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 219,580 (comprising 109,884 males and 109,696 females). Although landlocked, the regency includes the eastern shore of the vast inland Lake Toba.

The regency was originally created on 23 November 1998 from the northern districts of North Tapanuli Regency, and was formerly known as Toba Samosir Regency, even after its western part was split off as Samosir Regency on 18 December 2003 (apart from Muara District, which remained part of North Tapanuli), until the residual regency's name was officially shortened in 2020.

Administrative districts

The regency is divided administratively into sixteen districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as of mid 2025. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (231 rural desa and 13 urban kelurahan), and its post code:

Kode WilayahName of District (kecamatan)Area in km2Pop'n Census 2010Pop'n Census 2020Pop'n Estimate mid 2025Admin centreNo. of VillagesPost code
12.12.01Balige91.0536,65344,63547,999Balige35 (a)22311 -22316
12.12.22Tampahan24.454,2905,1415,486Gurgur622312
12.12.02Laguboti73.9018,35922,39724,107Laguboti23 (b)22381
12.12.04Habinsaran408.7015,45317,86918,741Parsoburan22 (c)22383
12.12.06Borbor176.656,7908,2998,941Borbor1522383
12.12.21Nassau335.507,2199,17310,070Lumban Rau Tengah1022383
12.12.03Silaen172.5812,10514,14314,908Silaen2322382
12.12.19Sigumpar25.207,4048,5999,038Sigumpar10 (d)22380
12.12.07Porsea37.8812,81014,66915,045Porsea17 (e)22384
12.12.05Pintu Pohan Meranti277.277,0707,3467,522Pintu Pohan722384
12.12.20Siantar Narumonda22.205,7147,4358,153Narumonda I1422384
12.12.24Parmaksian45.9810,27511,55611,823Pangombusan1122384
12.12.09Lumban Julu90.908,1509,95310,718Lumban Julu1222388
12.12.10Uluan109.006,9839,6809,968Lumban Binanga1722385
12.12.08Ajibata52.807,2219,42010,473Pardamean Ajibata10 (f)22386
12.12.23Bonatua Lunasi57.746,6325,8846,588Lumban Lubu1222387
Totals2,021.80173,129206,199219,580Balige244

Notes: (a) comprising 6 kelurahan (Balige I, Balige III, Lumban Dolok Haumabange, Napitupulu Bagasan, Pardede Onan and Sangkar Nihuta) and 29 desa. (b) including the kelurahan of Pasar Laguboti. (c) including the kelurahan of Parsoburan Tengah. (d) including the kelurahan of Sigumpar Dangsina. (e) comprising 3 kelurahan (Parparean III, Pasar Porsea and Patane III) and 14 desa. (f) including the kelurahan of Parsaoran Ajibata.

Orchid Paradise

Two scientists explored the Eden Park tourist forest in Sionggang village in Toba Regency for four years and have successfully identified almost 200 new species of forest orchids. The area is an orchid paradise, in which thousands of other orchid species can be found.

Sigura-Gura waterfall

Sigura-gura waterfall, which is the highest waterfall in Indonesia at 250 metres (820ft) tall, is located 250 kilometres (160mi) from Medan or a 2 to 3 hour long drive. Below the waterfall, one can do White water rafting.

2°23′52″N 99°13′00″E/2.3979°N 99.2168°E/ 2.3979; 99.2168