As of the census of 2003, there were 31,915 people, 6,976 households, and 5,273 families residing in the city. The population density was 11,585.5 people per square mile (4,467.6/km²). There were 7,091 housing units at an average density of 2,784.3/sq mi (1,073.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 6.98% White, 16.03% African American, 0.93% Native American, 2.03% Asian, 9.63% Pacific Islander (mainly Tongan and Samoan immigrants), 36.73% from other races, and 5.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 72.79% of the population.
There were 6,976 households out of which 47.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.20 and the average family size was 4.64.
In the city the population was spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 14.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,006, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $26,631 versus $27,044 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,774. About 13.5% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.
East Palo Alto is bisected by U.S. Route 101, a freeway with exits serving the city and frontage roads on either side. The Dumbarton Bridge connects East Palo Alto to Alameda County, which lies to the east across San Francisco Bay, and carries State Route 84 into East Palo Alto toward U.S. 101.