🔍

Hay

NSW 2711 • Rest of NSW

2,300
Population (2021)
$59,904
Median Household Income
1946.92 km²
Area
$175/wk
Median Rent
RuralOutbackHistoricRiverfrontAffordable

About Hay

Hay is a rural town in the western Riverina region of New South Wales, situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River approximately 740 kilometres west of Sydney. With a population of around 2,700, it serves as the administrative centre of the Hay Shire and a key service hub for the surrounding pastoral district. The town was established in the 1850s and has a rich agricultural heritage centred on wool, wheat, and cattle. The flat, open plains of the Hay region are iconic of outback New South Wales.

Hay offers a quintessential country town lifestyle with a strong community spirit and wide, tree-lined streets. Key attractions include the Shear Outback museum celebrating Australia's wool industry, the historic Hay Gaol, and the Dunera Museum commemorating the WWII internment camps. The Murrumbidgee River provides fishing, kayaking, and swimming opportunities. The town has essential services including schools, a hospital, supermarkets, and sporting clubs. Hay appeals to those seeking an affordable, relaxed rural lifestyle with a genuine outback character.

Hay falls under postcode 2711 and is governed by Hay Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Murray electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2711
Urban Area
Central Murray
LGA / Council
Hay
Federal Electorate
Farrer
State Electorate
Murray
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.38°, 144.84°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1946.92 km²
Elevation
88m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Hay for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$269K
61 sales · ▲ 1.5% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$175
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
47 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.6%

28 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Griffith 2 hrs
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Mildura 3 hrs

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
740 km
By Bus
10+ hrs (coach via Griffith)
By Car (Peak)
8 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
8 hrs

🛣️ Regional town; nearest rail at Griffith (200km). REX flights from Griffith to Sydney. Nearest regional centre is Griffith (2hrs drive)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre with shops, pubs, and services within walking distance; car essential for anything beyond town

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Hay, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Hay Railway Station and yard group
Narrandera-Hay railway Hay • SHR #01167
Hay Post Office
120 Lachlan Street Hay • SHR #01441
Hay Gaol
355 Church Street Hay • SHR #01782
Bishops Lodge
Moama Street, Hay • SHR #00482

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Hay Local Government Area, which contains Hay. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Motor vehicle theft
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Non-DV assault
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
View all 62 offence types for Hay →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,406
Census 2021
2,300
▼ 4.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,912
Personal Income 2021
$34,788
▲ 20.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$34,788 / yr
$669/wk
Household
$59,904 / yr
$1152/wk
Family
$82,212 / yr
$1581/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,843
Born Overseas 161

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 33
  • 2. India 20
  • 3. England 19
  • 4. Fiji 13
  • 5. Scotland 13
  • 6. South Africa 12
  • 7. Italy 10
  • 8. Greece 8
  • 9. Netherlands 8
  • 10. Pakistan 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 964
Australian 957
Irish 221
Scottish 216
Australian Aboriginal 189
Italian 72
German 62
Indian 24
Maori 19
Filipino 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,689
Both parents born in Australia
197
Both parents born overseas
123
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
61.2%
No Religion
24.7%
Hinduism
0.8%
Buddhism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
137 (6.0%)
5-14 years
242 (10.5%)
15-19 years
125 (5.4%)
20-24 years
144 (6.3%)
25-34 years
246 (10.7%)
35-44 years
196 (8.5%)
45-54 years
260 (11.3%)
55-64 years
386 (16.8%)
65-74 years
273 (11.9%)
75-84 years
206 (9.0%)
85+ years
85 (3.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hay known for? +

Hay is a rural town in the western Riverina region of New South Wales, situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River approximately 740 kilometres west of Sydney.

How far is Hay from Sydney CBD? +

Hay is approximately 740 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 8 hrs during peak hour and 8 hrs off-peak.

Does Hay have public transport? +

Hay is served by bus routes (NSW TrainLink Coach) connecting to Griffith with a travel time of approximately 2 hrs. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Hay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hay has a population of approximately 2,300 residents.

Is Hay a good place to live? +

Hay offers a unique blend of historic character and residential living. It suits those who appreciate heritage surroundings and a close-knit community, while remaining connected to regional services.

What is the postcode for Hay? +

The postcode for Hay in NSW is 2711.

What is the average income in Hay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Hay is about $669 per week (around $34,800 per year). The median household income is $1,152 per week and the median family income is $1,581 per week.

What is the median house price in Hay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $269,000, up 1.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Hay? +

The median age in Hay is 47. The largest age group is 55–64 (386 residents, around 17%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Hay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Hay is part of the Hay LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Hay? +

In Hay, the median weekly rent is $175, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $867 (2021 Census).