Tollebeek is one of ten villages in the Noordoostpolder (literally: North East Polder) which was reclaimed from the Zuiderzee (now: IJsselmeer) in the 1930s and 1940s as part of a huge project known as the 'Zuiderzeewerken' ('Zuiderzee works') to create new land to accommodate growing need for farmland and new urban areas in the already densely populated country.

It is situated in the south-western part of the polder, in the middle of a large agricultural area, between Emmeloord and Urk which used to be an island in the old Zuiderzee.

Tollebeek is growing a lot due to new residential areas in the past 20 years.

Tollebeek has a thriving community culture, with several sports, arts and youth clubs.

There are two churches (Roman Catholic and Protestant), two primary schools, a restaurant, two fast food bars and a small supermarket.