2000 Based on the 2000 United States Census, there were 242,820 people, 98,782 households, and 59,269 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,619.7 people per square mile (625.4/km2). There were 111,927 housing units at an average density of 746.6 per square mile (288.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 62.46% African American, 35.07% White American, 0.17% Indigenous peoples of the Americas, 0.80% Asian American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from Race (United States Census), and 0.83% from Multiracial American. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race.. What was the smallest racial group?