As of the census of 2000, there were 5,653 people, 2,469 households, and 1,434 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,973.8 people per square mile (1,148.2 people/km2). There were 2,958 housing units at an average density of 1,556.1 per square mile (600.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 82.10% White, 14.84% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.02% of the population.
There were 2,469 households, out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.
| Census | Pop. | %± |
|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 8,174 | — |
| 1920 | 14,131 | 72.9% |
| 1930 | 13,905 | −1.6% |
| 1940 | 13,180 | −5.2% |
| 1950 | 12,186 | −7.5% |
| 1960 | 11,131 | −8.7% |
| 1970 | 8,825 | −20.7% |
| 1980 | 7,524 | −14.7% |
| 1990 | 5,928 | −21.2% |
| 2000 | 5,653 | −4.6% |
| 2010 | 4,781 | −15.4% |
| 2020 | 4,558 | −4.7% |
| 2021 (est.) | 4,526 | −0.7% |
The median income for a household in the borough was $27,939, and the median income for a family was $37,176. Males had a median income of $33,725 versus $22,346 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,893. About 12.4% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.