Thayer was laid out in the fall of 1870 when the railroad was extended to that point. It was named for Nathaniel Thayer, a railroad employee. The town was built up quickly and was incorporated as a city in 1871.
Geography
Thayer is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which, is land and is water.
As of the census of 2010, there were 497 people, 197 households, and 136 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 221 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 0.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. There were 197 households of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couplesliving together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.7% male and 46.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 500 people, 183 households, and 137 families residing in the city. The population density was 751.5 people per square mile. There were 203 housing units at an average density of 305.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 95.60% White, 1.40% Native American, 1.40% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.20% of the population. There were 183 households out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.18. In the city, the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $35,288, and the median income for a family was $38,250. Males had a median income of $25,625 versus $18,906 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,497. About 8.9% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Thayer is served by USD 447 Cherryvale. Thayer High School was closed through school unification. Thayer schools mascot is the Flyer.
