As of the census of 2000, there were 2,448 people, 1,022 households, and 657 families residing in the city. The population density was 561.7 people per square mile (216.8/km²). There were 1,105 housing units at an average density of 253.5/sq mi (97.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.24% White, 1.96% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.65% Asian, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.37% of the population.
There were 1,022 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,303, and the median income for a family was $25,709. Males had a median income of $27,619 versus $16,953 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,587. About 28.8% of families and 31.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under age 18 and 23.2% of those age 65 or over.