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 (NSW), accounting for 27.5% (632 people). This share was similar to Hay (A) (27.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 144 people and 7.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Hay (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Hay (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hay (A) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hay (NSW), with comparison markers for Hay (A).
Western Catholic
2021 count
632
% of total
27.5%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
632
27.5%
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
2021 count
565
% of total
24.6%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
565
24.6%
+7.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
499
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
499
21.7%
-3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
278
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
278
12.1%
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
2021 count
108
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
108
4.7%
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
73
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
73
3.2%
-0.4pp
Baptist
2021 count
33
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
33
1.4%
+0.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
19
0.8%
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
17
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.7%
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
2021 count
11
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Western Catholic
-103
-2.9pp
No Religion, so described
+144
+7.2pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-102
-3.2pp
Not stated
-33
-0.8pp
Presbyterian
-24
-0.8pp
Uniting Church
-14
-0.4pp
Baptist
+9
+0.4pp
Hinduism
+8
+0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
0
0.0pp
Greek Orthodox
0
0.0pp
Data table
Religion for Hay (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hay (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Western Catholic | 632 | 27.5% | 27.5% | 735 | 30.4% | 32.4% | -103 | -2.9pp |
| No Religion, so described | 565 | 24.6% | 24.2% | 421 | 17.4% | 16.6% | +144 | +7.2pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 499 | 21.7% | 21.6% | 601 | 24.9% | 24.8% | -102 | -3.2pp |
| Not stated | 278 | 12.1% | 12.3% | 311 | 12.9% | 12.5% | -33 | -0.8pp |
| Presbyterian | 108 | 4.7% | 4.7% | 132 | 5.5% | 5.8% | -24 | -0.8pp |
| Uniting Church | 73 | 3.2% | 3.1% | 87 | 3.6% | 3.6% | -14 | -0.4pp |
| Baptist | 33 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 24 | 1.0% | 0.9% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| Hinduism | 19 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 11 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 17 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 17 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 11 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 11 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,299 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,416 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -117 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.