As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 7,264 people, 3,220 households, and 1,832 families residing in the city. The population density was 567.7/km² (1,469.5/mi²). There were 3,920 housing units at an average density of 306.4/km² (793.0/mi²).
There were 3,220 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 29.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 80.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,489, and the median income for a family was $31,060. Males had a median income of $29,837 versus $21,804 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,265. About 16.8% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
