Cultural diversity
Religion
About this topic
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
This topic helps show the religious diversity of an area and can support planning for community facilities, faith-based services, and inclusive engagement. It is best interpreted with ancestry, birthplace, and language, which together provide a broader picture of cultural composition.
Interpretation notes
- This records stated religious affiliation, not attendance or level of religious practice.
- No religion and not stated are part of the overall picture, so interpretation should consider both affiliation and non-response.
Key insight
In 2021, Western Catholic was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Hay (A), accounting for 27.5% (796 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 214 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Hay (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Hay (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hay (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Western Catholic
2021 count
796
% of total
27.5%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
796
27.5%
-4.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
700
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
700
24.2%
+7.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
624
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
624
21.6%
-3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
355
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
355
12.3%
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
137
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
137
4.7%
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
90
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
90
3.1%
-0.5pp
Baptist
2021 count
36
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
36
1.2%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
21
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.7%
+0.1pp
Hinduism
2021 count
19
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
19
0.7%
+0.4pp
Sikhism
2021 count
17
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
17
0.6%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-153
-4.9pp
No Religion, so described
+214
+7.6pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-103
-3.2pp
Not stated
-12
-0.2pp
Presbyterian
-32
-1.1pp
Uniting Church
-15
-0.5pp
Baptist
+11
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
+4
+0.1pp
Hinduism
+10
+0.4pp
Sikhism
+10
+0.4pp
Data table
Religion for Hay (A). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 796 | 27.5% | 21.0% | 949 | 32.4% | 23.8% | -153 | -4.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 700 | 24.2% | 37.4% | 486 | 16.6% | 26.0% | +214 | +7.6pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 624 | 21.6% | 17.0% | 727 | 24.8% | 21.9% | -103 | -3.2pp |
| Not stated | 355 | 12.3% | 7.7% | 367 | 12.5% | 9.3% | -12 | -0.2pp |
| Presbyterian | 137 | 4.7% | 2.6% | 169 | 5.8% | 3.5% | -32 | -1.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 90 | 3.1% | 3.3% | 105 | 3.6% | 4.5% | -15 | -0.5pp |
| Baptist | 36 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 25 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +11 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 21 | 0.7% | 2.2% | 17 | 0.6% | 2.2% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Hinduism | 19 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Sikhism | 17 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 2,892 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,933 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -41 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.