Cultural diversity
Religion
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.
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
No Religion, so described
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Presbyterian
Uniting Church
Baptist
Christianity, nfd
Hinduism
Sikhism
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.