As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 16,412 people, 6,939 households, and 4,232 families residing in the city. The population density was 849.4/km² (2,200.3/mi²). There were 8,064 housing units at an average density of 417.4/km² (1,081.1/mi²).
There were 6,939 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,062, and the median income for a family was $31,243. Males had a median income of $27,294 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,665. About 21.8% of families and 24.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.7% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.
