Hayward
cityHayward is a city located in Alameda County, California, in the East Bay subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of 2020, the population was 162,954, making it the sixth-largest city in the Bay Area and the third-largest in Alameda County. Hayward is situated primarily between Castro Valley, San Leandro, and Union City, and it lies at the eastern terminus of the San Mateo–Hayward Bridge. Hayward's economy is diverse, with major employment sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. Key institutions such as California State University, East Bay, and Chabot College contribute to the city's economic and cultural landscape. The city also has a growing life sciences sector and a significant industrial and technology presence. Hayward's history is rich, dating back to the Rancho San Lorenzo era and the California Gold Rush. The city was named after William Dutton Hayward, who established a hotel there in 1852. Hayward is known for its diversity and access to outdoor recreation, with numerous parks, trails, and the Hayward Japanese Gardens.
Hayward, California
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 06-33000
- Country
- United States
- County
- Alameda County
- Region
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Elevation
- 105 ft
- Total Area
- 64.1 sq mi
- Land Area
- 45.8 sq mi
- Water Area
- 18.3 sq mi
- Latitude
- 37.66882
- Longitude
- -122.080796
- Climate
- Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers
- Notable Features
- San Lorenzo Creek · Hayward Fault Zone
- Neighboring Areas
- San Leandro · Union City · Fremont · Pleasanton · Castro Valley · San Lorenzo · Cherryland · Sunol · Fairview
- Population (2020)
- 162,954
- Est. Population (2024)
- 158,801
- Median Age
- 38.6
- Median Income
- $113,318
- Poverty Rate
- 9.61%
- Family Households
- 74%
- Owner-Occupied
- 58%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- Diverse; Largest groups are Hispanic, Asian, and White
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- Hayward Unified School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Utilities · Environmental Services
- Unemployment Rate
- 7.9%
- Economic Profile
- Residential/suburban · Commercial · Industrial
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Manufacturing · Retail Trade
- Major Employers
- Berkeley Farms · Plastikon · Pepsi · Marelich Mechanical · ConXtech · Morgan Advanced Ceramics · Baxter International · RefleXion Medical · Arcus Bioscience · Lonza Biologics and Biolog
- Students
- 26,490
- School Districts
- Hayward Unified School District
- Colleges & Universities
- California State University, East Bay · Chabot College
- Transportation
- Interstate 880 · State Routes 92, 238, and 185 · Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) · Hayward Executive Airport
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Wastewater service · Recycled water service · Stormwater management
- Major Facilities
- Hayward Hall of Justice · Hayward Executive Airport
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Hayward Regional Shoreline · Hayward Japanese Gardens · Don Castro Regional Recreation Area · Garin Regional Park
- Parks & Trails
- Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) maintains over 73 parks · Numerous trails
- Founded
- 1850
- Incorporated
- 1876
- Named After
- William Dutton Hayward
- Historical Significance
- Evolved from an agricultural center to a diverse industrial and residential city in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Key Events
- Part of Rancho San Lorenzo (1841) · William Hayward opens hotel (1852) · Post office opens as 'Haywood' (1860) · Town incorporated as 'Haywards' (1876) · Name officially changed to Hayward (1911)