Demographics

Description

In the western Riverina region of NSW, Hay is one of Australia’s major wool growing areas. The town itself is built beside the Murrumbidgee River, part of the Murray- Darling river system; Australia's largest. The main business district of Hay is situated on the north bank of the river. Away from the river Hay is surrounded by flat, mostly-treeless plains, predominately of grey clay and red earth soils. At the 2011 census, Hay township had a population of 2,298. Hay is one of Australia's leading wool growing and sheep meat producing areas. Cattle are also produced for sale for slaughter and, in recent years, for sale to feedlots for fattening. In irrigated areas, crops such as lettuce, pumpkins, tomatoes, garlic, corn, rockmelons, watermelons and broccoli are grown, picked and packaged in the area. Hay is also the leading producer in the Riverina of safflower, lettuce and broccoli. In recent years, rice and cotton have been produced in Hay.