As of the census of 2000, there were 5,972 people, 2,079 households, and 1,382 families residing in the city.  The population density was 1,055.9 people per square mile.  There were 2,257 housing units at an average density of 399.1 per square mile.  The racial makeup of the city was 48.11% White, 49.87% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races.  Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.69% of the population.

There were 2,079 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 25.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families.  29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 17.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,375, and the median income for a family was $36,492.  Males had a median income of $26,740 versus $20,160 for females.  The per capita income for the city was $15,423.  About 16.1% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.5% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.