Hayward is a city in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States, near Albert Lea.

[4] The community was named for David Hayward, an early settler[5] who moved to the townsite from Postville, Iowa and returned to that state after only living in Hayward for two years.

[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.63 square miles (1.63 km2), all land.

32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 4.4% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 6.5% of those 65 or over.