Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 28,633 people, 9,841 households, and 7,272 families residing in the city. The population density is 435.4/km sq. (1,127.6/mi sq.). There are 11,336 housing units at an average density of 172.4/km sq. (446.4/mi sq.). The racial makeup of the city is 14.18% White, 84.53% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 9,841 households out of which 36.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.8% are married couples living together, 36.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% are non-families. 23.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.84 and the average family size is 3.35.

In the city the population is spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 76.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $19,544, and the median income for a family is $23,519. Males have a median income of $26,543 versus $17,040 for females. The per capita income for the city is $10,626. 35.5% of the population and 31.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 47.8% are under the age of 18 and 25.8% are 65 or older.

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