As of the census of 2000, there were 1,839 people, 881 households, and 446 families residing in the city. The population density was 634.4 people per square mile (244.8/km²). There were 1,007 housing units at an average density of 347.4/sq mi (134.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.42% White, 0.71% African American, 0.05% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 881 households out of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.3% were non-families. 47.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.91 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 77.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $12,136, and the median income for a family was $18,714. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $16,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,135. About 28.9% of families and 35.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.8% of those under age 18 and 27.6% of those age 65 or over.