As of the census of 2000, there were 28,928 people, 8,817 households, and 6,877 families residing in the city. More recent, 2008 estimates place the population at 49,807. The population density was 855.7 people per square mile (330.4/km²). There were 9,505 housing units at an average density of 281.2/sq mi (108.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.61% White, 5.19% African American, 1.29% Native American, 2.05% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 20.33% from other races, and 5.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.05% of the population.
There were 8,817 households out of which 49.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 16.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.27 and the average family size was 3.66.
In the city the population was spread out with 36.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,884, and the median income for a family was $47,563. Males had a median income of $41,692 versus $26,555 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,413. About 14.7% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.