Hay (NSW)

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Hay (NSW) is around 2,317 people. This figure reflects an increase of 17 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,300. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,317 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 1.2 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, the suburb of Hay (NSW) is expected to experience a decline in overall population over this period, with an anticipated contraction of 219 persons by 2041. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, notably the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to increase by 45 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 over the five-year period from January 2015 to December 2019, totalling 13 dwellings. 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 given the small number of approvals, individual development projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics.

Hay shows significantly less construction activity than Rest of NSW, with the development pattern also well below national averages. All new constructions during this period were detached dwellings, reflecting the area's rural character where larger properties and space are typical. The estimated population per dwelling approval was 647 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Population projections show stability or decline in Hay, which should result in reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting 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 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects likely influencing the region. Notable projects are John Houston Memorial Pool Upgrade, Hay Structure Plan, Hay Health Services Redevelopment, and Bishops Lodge Affordable Housing Development. Relevant projects are listed below.

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 performance in Hay has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Hay's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate stands at 4.7% according to AreaSearch aggregated statistical area data. As of December 2025, Hay has 1,227 residents employed, an unemployment rate of 4.7%, which is 0.7% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Hay is 66.2%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census responses reveal that only 8.3% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail trade, and construction. Hay has a particular specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 3.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 8.9% of Hay's workforce compared to Regional NSW's 16.9%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.1%, while employment declined by 2.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points in Hay. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Hay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 11.4% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 indicates that Hay suburb had a median income among taxpayers of $47,060 and an average level of $52,663. This is lower than national averages, which stood at $52,390 and $65,215 for Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $51,917 (median) and $58,098 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Hay fall between the 10th and 22nd percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the predominant cohort spans 29.3% of locals (678 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, mirroring the surrounding region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are modest, allowing for retention of 91.0% of income, but 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

Hay's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.3% houses and 8.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hay was at 44.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.2% and rented ones at 30.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Weekly rent in Hay was $175, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Hay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and 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 Regional 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%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent 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, including advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (29.6%). Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.5% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 1.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates five active transport stops operating within Hay. These stops are served by six individual bus routes, collectively offering 60 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 570 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 86%, with 11% walking. Average vehicle ownership is 1.4 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 8.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages eight trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately twelve weekly trips per individual 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 substantial health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~1,107 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma (10.7%) and arthritis (10.3%), while 59.7% claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents face notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 28.2% of residents aged 65 and over (653 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Hay's cultural diversity was below average, with 85.0% of its population being citizens, 92.0% born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Hay, comprising 70.0% of people, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.4%), Australian (33.2%), and Irish (7.7%).

Notably, certain ethnic groups had higher representation than regional averages: Australian Aboriginal at 6.6% in Hay vs 4.6%, Maori at 0.7% vs 0.3%, and South Australian at 0.4% vs 0.2%.

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

Hay's median age is 47 years, which is significantly higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, comprising 15.4%, while the 35-44 age group is comparatively smaller at 7.7%. Since 2021, the population aged 65 to 74 has grown from 11.9% to 14.7%, and the 85+ cohort has increased from 3.7% to 5.0%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has declined from 11.3% to 9.5%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 16.8% to 15.4%. By 2041, Hay is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 23 people, reaching 243 from 196. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 87% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 65-74 age cohorts.