As of the census of 2000, there were 60,051 people, 19,564 households, and 15,240 families residing in the city. The population density was 7,869.5 people per square mile (3,038.8/km²). There were 20,209 housing units at an average density of 2,648.3/sq mi (1,022.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 21.29% White, 0.38% African American, 0.65% Native American, 61.82% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 12.45% from other races, and 3.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.91% of the population.
There were 19,564 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,724, and the median income for a family was $43,507. Males had a median income of $32,463 versus $29,057 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,661. About 12.4% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
Monterey Park is served by the I-710, the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10), SR 60.
Additional transportation is provided by the city government (Spirit bus service and Metrolink feeder bus), the city of Montebello and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.