What are the schools like in Hayward, WI?

Hayward is served primarily by Hayward Community School District. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1.

What is the median household income in Hayward?

The median household income in Hayward, WI is $39,422 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.4%.

What is the weather like in Hayward, WI?

Hayward has an average high temperature of 24.0°F in January and 81.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 32.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 59.4 inches.

Hayward, WI Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Hayward, WI affordable or expensive?

Hayward's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Hayward is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $171,800 and the median rent is $686 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Hayward, WI?

Hayward has a violent crime rate of 730.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1692.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Hayward, WI a Good Place to Live?

Hayward is a small town of 2,526 in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $39,422 and a 5.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

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

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hayward is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Hayward 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: 90.8

Hayward's overall cost of living index is 90.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Hayward costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Hayward, WI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$171,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$686	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	51.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$39,422	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Hayward's violent crime rate is 730.8 per 100,000 residents — 92% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

730.8 /100k

Property Crime

1692.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Hayward is served primarily by Hayward Community School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Hayward, WI	National Avg
School District	Hayward Community School District	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	22.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	90.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Hayward sees average highs of 24.0°F in January and 81.8°F in July, with 32.3 inches of annual precipitation and 59.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Hayward, WI
Average High — January	24.0°F
Average High — July	81.8°F
Annual Precipitation	32.3"
Annual Snowfall	59.4"

Demographics

Metric	Hayward, WI	National Avg
Population	2,526	—
Median Age	38.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	12.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	84.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.7%	6.3%
Under 18	23.1%	22.2%
65 and over	19.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Little Round Lake, WI 6 mi Chief Lake, WI 9 mi Springbrook, WI 10 mi Stone Lake, WI 12 mi Reserve, WI 14 mi

Hayward vs Other Cities

Hayward, WI vs Little Round Lake, WI Hayward, WI vs Chief Lake, WI Hayward, WI vs Springbrook, WI Hayward, WI vs Stone Lake, WI Hayward, WI vs Reserve, WI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hayward, WI affordable or expensive?

Hayward's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Hayward roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $171,800 and median rent is $686/month.

What is the crime rate in Hayward, WI?

Hayward's violent crime rate is 730.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1692.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Hayward?

Public schools in Hayward are operated by Hayward Community School District. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1. 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Hayward, WI a good place to live?

Hayward, WI has a population of 2,526, a median household income of $39,422, and an unemployment rate of 5.4%. 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 Hayward?

Hayward averages 24.0°F in January and 81.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 32.3 inches with about 59.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Hayward?

The population of Hayward, Wisconsin is 2,526 with a median age of 38.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Hayward?

Key numbers for living in Hayward: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $171,800, median household income $39,422, crime index 148 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hayward side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.