Median house price
$260k
-3.5% change
NSW · Hay Council
Hay, 2711
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,323
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.1%
Median age
47
Median income
$1,152/wk
Employment rate
51.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$260,000
Languages at home
4.4%non-English
Most common: Malayalam, Afrikaans, Greek
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Heritage area
- National parks
Suburb profile
Hay is a quieter smaller community in Hay Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.
Desirability sits below average overall, with local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Hay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$275/wk
Population (ERP)
2,323
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
16.9%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#354
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
80th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
70th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
19th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 32.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5172nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1667th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #354 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #689 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $275
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $260,000
- Median price change
- -3.5%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
2,323(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +0.1% over 5 years · 70th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +0.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +26
- Change in 5 years
- +2
- Growth rank in NSW
- 70th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~2,300), extrapolated at -0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,300
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,152
- Dwelling vacancy
- 16.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 183 of 1,086
- Median monthly mortgage
- $867
- Employment rate
- 51.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 830 / 76 / 0 (+ 3 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 258
- Against the person
- 66
- Against property
- 71
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 111.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 35 residents
- State safety percentile
- 79.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -4.5%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions27
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment54
- Malicious Damage To Property22
- Other Offences24
- Possession And/Or Use Of Cannabis26
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 934
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 19th
School list
- Hay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 934 · 19th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 216 students · Top SEA quarter 6%View on My School →
- Hay War Memorial High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 916 · 14th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 155 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →
- St Mary's Parish SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 950 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 33 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
10 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cemetery Rd Opp Bagot St
- Farlows Lane At Kangaroo Lane
- Hay Public School, Leonard St
- Pine St Opp Rays Lane
- St Marys Primary School, Moppett St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex ParkPark
- Bushy Bend ReservePark
- Dal Wright ParkPark
- Hay ParkPark
- Lions ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 58
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Hay Multi-Purpose Service (12.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Hay Aboriginal Medical ServiceClinic
- Hay Multi-Purpose ServiceMurray StreetHospital
- Japp's PharmacyPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 57
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 24.5
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 33° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 95 mm · ~12 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 97 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 4°
- Rainfall
- 85 mm · ~11 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 95 mm · ~12 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 30 proposals
August 2026
- SubdivisionSIDONIA ROAD HAY 2711Under Assessment
July 2026
- Subdivision389 MACGREGOR STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah460 CHURCH STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Electricity generating facility (solar and wind)710 MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER ROAD HAY 2711Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces375 MACAULEY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station498 CADELL STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Transport depot265 BOURKE STREET HAY 2711Determined
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport236 PINE STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Community facility107 THELANGERIN ROAD HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home68 THELANGERIN ROAD HAY 2711Determined
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport496 CADELL STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Agriculture12221 COBB HIGHWAY HAY 2711Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure175 BIDGEE DRIVE HAY 2711Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure442 MOPPETT STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Subdivision185 PINE STREET HAY 2711Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Temporary building, structure or use; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences326 MACAULEY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility204-216 LACHLAN STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision394 RIVER STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Subdivision528 BREWERY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport226 PIPER STREET HAY 2711Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure264 LACHLAN STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport431 CADELL STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure238 BOURKE STREET HAY 2711Determined
- SubdivisionSIDONIA ROAD HAY 2711Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport520 BREWERY STREET HAY 2711Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Rural industry30 ASHCROFTS LANE HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah251 COKE STREET HAY 2711Determined
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Storage premises12422 COBB HIGHWAY HAY 2711Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 CURTIS COURT HAY 2711Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure465 CHURCH STREET HAY 2711Determined
2025· 18 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Telecommunications facilityLINDSAY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Rural supplies155 MAUDE ROAD HAY 2711Determined
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure; Storage premises437 THELANGERIN ROAD HAY 2711Determined
November 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structureSidonia road Hay nsw 149/DP756755Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure445 CADELL STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Subdivision185 PINE STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 DUNERA WAY HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport460 CHURCH STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences184 LINDSAY STREET HAY 2711Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport237 LACHLAN STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house218 LACHLAN STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space221 EDWARD STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Vehicle Sales or Hire Premises391 MURRAY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Subdivision528 BREWERY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure383 MOORE STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure332 MACAULEY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space353 MACAULEY STREET HAY 2711Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Infrastructure464 CHURCH STREET HAY 2711Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
3 heritage places
- Hay Gaol355 Church Street HaySHR
- Hay Post Office120 Lachlan Street HaySHR
- Hay Railway Station and yard groupNarrandera-Hay railway HaySHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Farrer
- Member of Parliament
- David FARLEY (One Nation)
- Results from
- 2026 Farrer by-election
Two-candidate preferred (2026-by-election)
David FARLEY (One Nation) 57.6%Michelle MILTHORPE (Independent) 42.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 108.9 km away).
David FARLEY (One Nation) 66.4%Michelle MILTHORPE (Independent) 33.6%
8.7 percentage points higher for David FARLEY than the electorate
Nearest polling places
- HayDavid FARLEY (One Nation) 67.0% · Michelle MILTHORPE (Independent) 33.0% TCP (2026-by-election)13.7 km away
- GoolgowiDavid FARLEY (One Nation) 61.6% · Michelle MILTHORPE (Independent) 38.4% TCP (2026-by-election)90.2 km away
- ColeamballyDavid FARLEY (One Nation) 73.8% · Michelle MILTHORPE (Independent) 26.1% TCP (2026-by-election)104.8 km away
- Darlington PointDavid FARLEY (One Nation) 59.5% · Michelle MILTHORPE (Independent) 40.5% TCP (2026-by-election)106.3 km away
- HanwoodDavid FARLEY (One Nation) 62.0% · Michelle MILTHORPE (Independent) 38.0% TCP (2026-by-election)108.7 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · 2026-by-election · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Hay Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.