Bayard, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Bayard is a small town in Iowa with a population of 399. Residents earn $43,750 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
399 Population 907/sq mi density
$43,750 Median Income $24,002 per capita
$57,700 Home Value $105,773 Zillow
$917 Median Rent 18.8% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$43,750 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$57,700 home value, $917/mo rent
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,750
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $57,700
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.3%
90% lower than US avg
Median Rent $917
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.5%
122% higher than US avg

How Bayard Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population399
Median Age39.1 yrs
Density907/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans13.8%

Economy

C+
Median Income$43,750
Per Capita$24,002
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty27.5%
County GDP$753M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$57,700
Rent$917
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$105,773
Rent Burden18.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.7%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.0 in/yr
Elevation1,136 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.3%
High School+96.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute32 min
Broadband86.0%
Libraries8

Is Bayard a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bayard receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Bayard offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bayard is $43,750, 42% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 27.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bayard is $57,700, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $917 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Bayard experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bayard has a population of 399 with a density of 907 people per square mile. The median age is 39.1 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 2.5% Black.

Population

399
Total Population
907
People / sq mi
39.1yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Bayard vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bayard vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bayard is $43,750, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 27.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Bayard vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,750
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,002
Avg Weekly Wage$1,041
IRS Avg AGI$87,854

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate27.5%
122% above US avg
Establishments (County)395
County GDP$753M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare27
Retail36
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,696
63% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate9.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.6 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bayard is $57,700, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $917 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $105,773.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$57,700
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$105,773

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$917
21% below US avg
Rent Burden18.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,696
63% above US avg
Effective Rate9.87%
In Bayard, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.7% report depression. 25.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bayard vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity25.8%
Depression20.7%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.6%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death6,483/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access47.2%
Healthcare Facilities27

Crime Rates: Bayard vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Bayard has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.0 inches
8% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,136 ft (346 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density907/sq mi
Coordinates41.8521°N, 94.5586°W
County FIPS19077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 3.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38-point margin. 86.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.3%
D 30.3%

Winner: Republican by 38 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.3%
90% below US avg
High School+96.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density907/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.0%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants27
Retail Stores36

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.6 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.7%

Nearby Cities

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