Bayfield is a Statutory Town located in La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 2,838 at the 2020 United States Census, a +21.65% increase since the 2010 United States Census. Bayfield is part of the Durango, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The town derives its name from W.A. Bay, founder.

On January 19, 1988, Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286 crashed in Bayfield, killing nine of the 17 people aboard.

Bayfield is located along U.S. Highway 160.

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 1,054 acres (4.264 km), all of it land.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	227		—
1920	267		17.6%
1930	277		3.7%
1940	372		34.3%
1950	335		−9.9%
1960	322		−3.9%
1970	320		−0.6%
1980	724		126.3%
1990	1,090		50.6%
2000	1,549		42.1%
2010	2,333		50.6%
2020	2,838		21.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,549 people, 567 households, and 409 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,433.3 inhabitants per square mile (553.4/km). There were 597 housing units at an average density of 552.4 per square mile (213.3/km). The racial makeup of the town was 91.67% White, 0.19% African American, 2.13% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 3.36% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.46% of the population.

There were 567 households, out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.2% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,336, and the median income for a family was $46,583. Males had a median income of $34,464 versus $22,027 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,324. About 2.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

• Durango, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area
• Spring Creek Archeological District, a Basketmaker and Pueblo site near Bayfield

• Town of Bayfield website
• CDOT map of the Town of Bayfield