As of the census of 2000, there were 55,266 people, 13,972 households, and 11,331 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,511.3/km² (11,678.3/mi²). There were 14,591 housing units at an average density of 1,191.0/km² (3,083.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 34.70% White, 13.59% African American, 1.06% Native American, 3.35% Asian, 0.84% Pacific Islander, 41.69% from other races, and 4.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 72.28% of the population.
There were 13,972 households out of which 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 14.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.93 and the average family size was 4.31.
In the city the population was spread out with 36.9% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 14.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,749, and the median income for a family was $37,276. Males had a median income of $27,730 versus $22,472 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,487. About 19.1% of families and 21.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
The Century Freeway (Interstate 105) passes east-west through the northern portion of Paramount, the Long Beach Freeway (Interstate 710) follows north-south along the city's western border, and the Artesia Freeway (State Route 91) runs east-west less than a one-half-mile from the southern Paramount city limits.
Paramount is served by bus service from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) and Long Beach Transit. The city also operates Easy Rider Shuttle, a fixed-route local bus.