What are the schools like in Hayes Center, NE?

Hayes Center is served primarily by HAYES CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1.

What is the median household income in Hayes Center?

The median household income in Hayes Center, NE is $73,750 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 0.6%.

What is the weather like in Hayes Center, NE?

Hayes Center has an average high temperature of 39.8°F in January and 89.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 21.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 30.2 inches.

Hayes Center, NE Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Hayes Center, NE affordable or expensive?

Hayes Center's cost of living index is 85, where 100 represents the national average. This means Hayes Center is 15% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $82,500 and the median rent is $617 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Hayes Center, NE?

Crime rate data for Hayes Center is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Hayes Center, NE a Good Place to Live?

Hayes Center is a small town of 284 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $73,750 and a 0.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is 15% below the national average.

Strengths: Hayes Center stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Hayes Center is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Hayes Center city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 85.4

Hayes Center's overall cost of living index is 85.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Hayes Center costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.

Metric	Hayes Center, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$82,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$617	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	71.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$73,750	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Hayes Center is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Hayes Center is served primarily by HAYES CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Hayes Center, NE	National Avg
School District	HAYES CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	18.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	85.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Hayes Center sees average highs of 39.8°F in January and 89.1°F in July, with 21.5 inches of annual precipitation and 30.2 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Hayes Center, NE
Average High — January	39.8°F
Average High — July	89.1°F
Annual Precipitation	21.5"
Annual Snowfall	30.2"

Demographics

Metric	Hayes Center, NE	National Avg
Population	284	—
Median Age	49.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	0.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	14.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	88.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	10.6%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	18.3%	22.2%
65 and over	15.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Palisade, NE 12 mi Hamlet, NE 14 mi Wauneta, NE 20 mi Culbertson, NE 22 mi Wellfleet, NE 23 mi

ZIP Codes in Hayes Center

Hayes Center, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

69032

Hayes Center vs Other Cities

Hayes Center, NE vs Palisade, NE Hayes Center, NE vs Hamlet, NE Hayes Center, NE vs Wauneta, NE Hayes Center, NE vs Culbertson, NE Hayes Center, NE vs Wellfleet, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hayes Center, NE affordable or expensive?

Hayes Center's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average. That makes Hayes Center roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $82,500 and median rent is $617/month.

What is the crime rate in Hayes Center, NE?

Crime data for Hayes Center is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Hayes Center?

Public schools in Hayes Center are operated by HAYES CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1. 18.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Hayes Center, NE a good place to live?

Hayes Center, NE has a population of 284, a median household income of $73,750, and an unemployment rate of 0.6%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Hayes Center?

Hayes Center averages 39.8°F in January and 89.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 21.5 inches with about 30.2 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Hayes Center?

Hayes Center, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 69032.

What is the population of Hayes Center?

The population of Hayes Center, Nebraska is 284 with a median age of 49.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Hayes Center?

Key numbers for living in Hayes Center: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $82,500, median household income $73,750, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hayes Center side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.