As of the census of 2000, there were 3,776 people, 1,457 households, and 1,027 families residing in the city.  The population density was 758.8 people per square mile.  There were 1,560 housing units at an average density of 313.5 per square mile.  The racial makeup of the city was 41.02% White, 57.63% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races.  Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.

There were 1,457 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 26.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families.  26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 36 years.  For every 100 females there were 82.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,523, and the median income for a family was $35,405.  Males had a median income of $25,600 versus $17,536 for females.  The per capita income for the city was $19,097.  About 14.9% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.