Hayward city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Hayward city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 159,201. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hayward city is 38.2 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hayward city is $113,775. This is 18% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% higher. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $820,700. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 57.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Hayward city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 29.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.1%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.7% vs 5.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (29.1% vs 15.0%).

Education

32.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hayward city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.