It, and parts of nearby Beresfield, was originally known as Upper Hexham, 'lower' Hexham being an older settlement located about 5 kilometres (3 mi) to the east on the Hunter River. The name 'Tarro' reportedly means 'stone' in an Aboriginal language.
At the 2006 census, Tarro had a population of 1,558, almost all of which is concentrated in the south-western corner of the suburb.
Tarro and the adjacent suburbs of Beresfield, Woodberry and Thornton are situated on low ridges rising out of the surrounding floodplain (and wetlands) of the Hunter River.
Tarro has a newsagency-general store, butcher's shop, take-away food store, petrol station, hotel and motel. There is also a fire station, community hall, Telstra telephone exchange, pumping station and depot belonging to the Hunter Valley Water Board, electricity sub-station and a number of small churches. The pumping station is heritage listed.[19] Tarro Park sports ground, largely reclaimed from wetlands, has several soccer fields, a playground and bird ponds.
