The present invention relates to fine barium sulfate powder that can be readily and simply dispersed in resins or solvents; a resin composition, a coating composition, an ink composition, and a resin molded article each containing the barium sulfate powder; and a method for producing the barium sulfate powder. Provided is barium sulfate powder having a number average primary particle size of 1 to 100 nm, the powder including an organic compound on its surface, the powder in the form of compressed compact having a contact angle with distilled water of 10 to 170 degrees.