The Town FilesHayward, Wisconsin
City in Sawyer County · population 2,533 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $184,700
- Household income
- $45,665
- Jan low / Jul high
- 3° / 82°
- Snow a year
- 59 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 4
- Median age
- 42.1
Hayward is a city of 2,533 people in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. The median home is worth $184,700, below the typical Wisconsin town ($256,000). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 98% of Wisconsin towns, hipper than 91% of Wisconsin towns, more vibrant than 87% of Wisconsin towns.
How Hayward ranks
Percentile among Wisconsin towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Wisconsin towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Hayward is worth $184,700, below the typical Wisconsin town ($256,000). Homes cost about 4.0 times the median household income of $45,665, which is more affordable than 13% of Wisconsin towns. Median rent is $829 a month. 56.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Hayward | Typical Wisconsin town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $184,700 | $256,000 |
| Median rent | $829 | $951 |
| Median household income | $45,665 | $82,217 |
| Home value ÷ income | 4.0× | 3.1× |
| Homeownership | 56.0% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1976 | 1978 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.7% | — |
Who lives in Hayward
| People | Hayward | Typical Wisconsin town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1 | 45.1 |
| Age 65 and over | 19.0% | 21.0% |
| Under 18 | 19.1% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.2% | 23.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 22.1% | 7.2% |
| Veterans | 4.9% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 4.5% | — |
| Work from home | 6.8% | 10.9% |
| Average commute | 12.3 min | 24.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 86.9% | 89.1% |
Weather in Hayward
July highs average 81.8°F and January lows 2.9°F. About 32.3 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 59.4 inches of snow (typical Wisconsin town: 45.7 in). Expect about 8 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 177 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
4 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Hayward since 1950, compared with 15 for the typical Wisconsin town. The strongest, an F1, struck on August 9, 1992 about 6.5 miles from the town center. The most recent was on August 9, 1992.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 67 times; the largest was 3.50 inches on June 8, 1985.
Severe weather in Sawyer County since 1996
Sawyer County has been included in 9 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, tornado.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 4, 2020 | Biological | DR-4520: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3454: Covid-19 |
| August 9, 2016 | Severe Storm | DR-4276: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| September 13, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3249: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 10, 2002 | Tornado | DR-1432: Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Sawyer County
Sawyer County had 7,250 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $48,406 a year. Unemployment was 4.2% in 2023; in Hayward itself the ACS puts it at 5%.
Public schools in Hayward
5 public schools with 1,647 students, about 11.5 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayward High | 9-12 | 512 | 13.1 |
| Hayward Primary | PK-2 | 403 | 10.9 |
| Hayward Intermediate | 3-5 | 346 | 11.9 |
| Hayward Middle | 6-8 | 344 | 9.8 |
| Northern Waters Environmental School (charter) | 6-12 | 42 | 14.0 |
Towns near Hayward
- Hayward, WI4.2 mi · 3,765 people · home $241,600
- Bass Lake, WI5.2 mi · 2,731 people · home $267,000
Hayward questions
Is Hayward, Wisconsin a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Hayward scores better for retirees than 57% of Wisconsin towns and quieter than 28%. 19.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 42.1).
How much does a house cost in Hayward?
The median owner-occupied home in Hayward is valued at $184,700 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $45,665, so homes cost about 4.0 times income. Median rent is $829 a month.
What is the weather like in Hayward?
July highs average 81.8°F and January lows 2.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 32.3 inches of precipitation a year and 59.4 inches of snow.
Does Hayward get tornadoes?
4 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Hayward since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F1 on August 9, 1992. The typical Wisconsin town has had 15.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)