Hayward, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

Hayward is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 2,549. Residents earn $40,085 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,549 Population 683/sq mi density
$40,085 Median Income $28,958 per capita
$184,200 Home Value $354,800 Zillow
$691 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
216 Violent Crime/100K 1,385 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$40,085 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$184,200 home value, $691/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
216 violent crimes/100K (43% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,085
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $184,200
35% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 216/100K
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.3%
31% lower than US avg
Median Rent $691
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.4%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.1%
54% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,549
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density683/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B
Median Income$40,085
Per Capita$28,958
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty19.1%
County GDP$2,402M
Commute12 min

Housing

A
Home Value$184,200
Rent$691
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$354,800

Crime

F
Violent216/100K
Property1,385/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault216/100K
Burglary130/100K

Health

Obesity34.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain31.3 in/yr
Elevation1,189 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.3%
High School+90.2%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 52%
Commute12 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Hayward a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Hayward receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Hayward has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Hayward is $40,085, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 19.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Hayward is $184,200, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $691 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Hayward is below the national average at 216 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,385 per 100,000, 29% below the national average.

Education

23.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Hayward has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Hayward has a population of 2,549 with a density of 683 people per square mile. The median age is 42.6 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.9%), with 6.8% Hispanic.

Population

2,549
Total Population
683
People / sq mi
42.6yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
3.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%
Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Hayward vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.9%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.1%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Hayward vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Hayward is $40,085, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Hayward vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,085
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,958
Avg Weekly Wage$1,016
IRS Avg AGI$67,532

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.1%
54% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,215
County GDP$2,402M

Business (County)

Restaurants156
Healthcare119
Retail151
Manufacturing54

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,924
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.3 min
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Hayward is $184,200, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $691 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $354,800.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$184,200
35% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$354,800

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$691
41% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,924
41% above US avg
Effective Rate2.67%
In Hayward, 34.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.6% report depression. 28.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.4%
7% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma11.5%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity28.9%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.5%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death8,763/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access81.0%
Healthcare Facilities119
Hayward has a violent crime rate of 216 per 100,000 residents, 43% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,385 per 100,000 (29% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent216.5/100K
43% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault216.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,385.3/100K
29% below US avg
Burglary129.9/100K
Theft1,212.1/100K
Vehicle Theft43.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Hayward has an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average41.5°F
23% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.3 inches
18% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,189 ft (362 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.7 km²)
Population Density683/sq mi
Coordinates46.0066°N, 91.4897°W
County FIPS55031
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 23.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (31% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 5.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 46.6%
D 52%

Winner: Democrat by 5.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.3%
31% below US avg
High School+90.2%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density683/sq mi
Total Area3.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities119
Restaurants156
Retail Stores151

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.3 min
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

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