Bayard, located in west central Morrill County, bases its economy on agriculture and livestock. The original town of Bayard was established in July of 1888, and Chimney Rock, designated a national historic site by the federal government in 1956, remains its most prominent landmark.
As of 2026 the population of Bayard is 1,118. The population is expected to shrink to 1,108 by 2031 - a growth rate of -0.18%.
The median age of Bayard residents is 44.
The diversity index of Bayard is 53.3, meaning that there is a 53% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.
The average household income in Bayard is $86,097 and projected to be $91,529 in 2031. Per capita income is $35,439, projected to be $37,835 in 2031. 0.54% of households – 6 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $749,732 and the average disposable income is $65,450.
There are 543 housing units in Bayard; 351 are owner-occupied, 104 are rented, and 88 are vacant. The average home value is $139,615, with 3 homes built in 2010 or later, and 242 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 46 businesses in Bayard, employing 287 workers and pulling from a labor force of 769 age 16 and above. 275 workers commute into Bayard from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
443 residents both live and work in/around Bayard. The average travel time is 0.0 minutes. 21.44% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 8.8% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 684 drive alone, 12 carpool, and 0 take public transportation. 14 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 59 residents work from home.
244 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 110 have associates degrees, 143 have bachelor’s degrees, and 40 hold a graduate or professional degree.
Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09
