Hayward Township is a township in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 438 at the 2000 census.

Hayward Township was organized in 1859, and named for David Hayward, a pioneer settler.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92 km), of which 34.6 square miles (90 km) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km) (2.75%) is water.

As of the census of 2000, there were 438 people, 161 households, and 123 families residing in the township. The population density was 12.7 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km). There were 166 housing units at an average density of 4.8 per square mile (1.9/km). The racial makeup of the township was 98.40% White, 0.23% Native American, 0.68% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 161 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $51,406. Males had a median income of $32,143 versus $21,705 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,064. About 3.0% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.