Hay · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Lower levels of advantage than about 70% of similar areas define the economy in Hay. Residents here typically have less access to money, resources, and job skills than most other regions, with an overall advantage score of 926, which is below the national average.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Hay — lower than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area's overall advantage and education scores are both 3 out of 10, placing Hay below about 70% of similar areas. This low standing extends to access to money and resources, which also scored 3.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
926
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Population growth since 2021 has been just 0.5%, which is much lower than most areas and well below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
2,899
Lower than 77% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
0.5%
Lower than 82% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 443 businesses in the area, a number smaller than about 70% of similar regions. Building activity is also low, with only 7 new dwellings approved.
443
Lower than 70% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
7
Lower than 77% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Hay [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA13850/hay/topic/economy-advantage
