As of the census of 2000, there were 53,505 people, 13,913 households, and 11,632 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,011.3/km² (10,398.3/mi²). There were 14,345 housing units at an average density of 1,075.5/km² (2,787.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 26.57% White, 0.68% African American, 0.85% Native American, 48.76% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 19.69% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 41.30% of the population.
There were 14,110 households out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.70 and the average family size was 4.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 6.5% under the age of 5, 76.9% over the age of 18, and 15.2% over the age of 65. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,115, and the median income for a family was $46,327. Males working full time had a median income of $31,599 versus $28,456 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,072. About 11.6% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Commercial "mom and pop" businesses are along Garvey and Valley Avenues although they are increasingly being cleared to make way for future high density mixed-use developments. The local homeless population tend to live along the Alhambra wash, and near the San Bernardino Freeway.