Hay (NSW)

Hay has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of November 2025, the estimated population of the suburb of Hay (NSW) is around 2,308 people. This figure reflects an increase of 8 individuals since the census conducted in 2021, which reported a population of 2,300 people. The current resident population estimate of 2,273 by AreaSearch, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date, indicates this increase. This equates to a density ratio of approximately 1.2 persons per square kilometer. The primary driver for population growth in the area has been overseas migration.

AreaSearch is utilising ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022, with a base year of 2021, are employed. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, over this period, there is an expected decline in overall population. By 2041, the suburb's population is projected to contract by 212 persons. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to increase by 49 people.

The level of residential development activity in Hay is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Hay had minimal residential development activity with 2 dwelling approvals annually between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020, totalling 12 dwellings over the five-year period. This low level of development is characteristic of rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that the small number of approvals can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics.

Hay had significantly less construction activity than Rest of NSW during this period, with its development pattern well below national averages. All new constructions were detached dwellings, reflecting the area's rural character where larger properties and space are typical. The estimated population per dwelling approval was 761 people in the area. Population projections indicate stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures, which may benefit potential buyers.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Hay should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Hay has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include John Houston Memorial Pool Upgrade, Hay Structure Plan, Hay Health Services Redevelopment, and Bishops Lodge Affordable Housing Development. The following details projects likely most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment drivers in Hay are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Hay's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with varied sector representation. The unemployment rate was 4.9% in June 2025, reflecting a 3.1% employment growth over the previous year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation.

As of June 2025, 1,256 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% above Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was lower at 54.1%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Major employment sectors included agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail trade, and construction, with a notable concentration in the former at 3.2 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance was under-represented, accounting for only 8.9% of Hay's workforce compared to 16.9% in Rest of NSW.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.1%, while labour force grew by 4.3%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW, where employment contracted by 0.1%, the labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Hay. These projections estimate a 6.6% expansion in national employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Hay's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 11.4% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Hay had a median income among taxpayers of $47,060 and an average income of $52,663. This is lower than the national average and compares to levels of $49,459 and $62,998 across Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Hay would be approximately $52,994 (median) and $59,304 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Hay fall between the 10th and 22nd percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 29.3% of locals (676 people) have incomes in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the surrounding region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. While housing costs are modest with 91.0% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 17th percentile nationally.

Hay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Hay, as per the latest Census evaluation, 91.3% of dwellings were houses while 8.7% comprised other types such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 92.7% houses and 7.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hay stood at 44.6%, similar to Non-Metro NSW, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 25.2% and rented ones for 30.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $867, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,179. The median weekly rent figure in Hay was recorded at $175, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $200. Nationally, Hay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Hay features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 63.5% of all households, including 21.9% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.5%, with lone person households at 34.8% and group households comprising 1.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Hay faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 10.0%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.8% and certificates at 29.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.5% in primary, 9.0% in secondary, and 1.4% in tertiary education. Hay's three schools have a combined enrollment of 385 students as of the latest data (date not specified). The area has varied educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 948. Education provision is balanced, with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, at 16.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 11.3, indicating the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The transport analysis indicates five active stops operating within Hay. These stops service a mix of bus routes, with six individual routes providing 60 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents typically located approximately 570 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages eight trips per day across all routes, equating to about twelve weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Hay is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Hay faces significant health challenges, as indicated by its health data. Both younger and older age groups show high prevalence rates for common health conditions.

Only about 48% (~1,103 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (10.7%) and arthritis (10.3%). About 59.7% report no medical ailments, lower than the Rest of NSW's 65.8%. Hay has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 27.9% (643 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 22.9%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Hay is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Hay's population shows lower cultural diversity, with 85.0% being citizens, 92.0% born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Hay, comprising 70.0%, compared to 57.0% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are English (33.4%), Australian (33.2%), and Irish (7.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher at 6.6% in Hay compared to 5.9% regionally, Maori at 0.7% versus 0.3%, and South African at 0.4% against 0.1%.

Hay hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Hay's median age is 47 years, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and substantially exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, comprising 15.6%, while the 35-44 group is comparatively smaller at 8.1% compared to the Rest of NSW figure. Between 2021 and present, the 65 to 74 age group has grown from 11.9% to 14.1% of the population, while the 85+ cohort increased from 3.7% to 4.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 11.3% to 9.8%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 16.8% to 15.6%. By 2041, Hay is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group will grow by 21%, reaching 251 people from 207. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45 to 54 and 25 to 34 cohorts.