As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 42,647 people, 14,027 households, and 9,622 families residing in the city. The population density was 858.5/km² (2,224.0/mi²). There were 17,893 housing units at an average density of 360.2/km² (933.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.29% White, 2.74% Black or African American, 1.03% Native American, 3.69% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 23.06% from other races, and 4.11% from two or more races. 49.97% or about half of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Cathedral City always had Hispanics, mainly of Mexican-American descent, and are attracted to domestic and resort jobs in nearby Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Other racial and ethnic groups are represented in a notably tolerant and diverse city. According to the 2006 study by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce puts the city's Latino percentage over 60 percent. The bulk of Latinos live in the older central sections and the section locally known as "little Mexico" replaced the negative label "the Square Mile" on Ramon Road, from Cathedral Canyon Drive to Landau Boulevard. West of there are the multi-racial low-income section, "Dream Homes" but politely called "the Circle" on Ramon Road and San Luis Rey Drive. Another densely Hispanic section is called "the Golden Mile" on Date Palm Drive, from Ramon Road to 30th Avenue, and "el Barrio Viejo" also on Date Palm from Dinah Shore to Gerald Ford Drives.
There were 14,027 households out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.63, which is above state and national average. Young couples and singles, esp. the gay and lesbian community picked Cathedral City their home, because of the proximity to the "Village" of Palm Springs and the large availability of apartment units.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males. Cathedral City has a dozen senior citizen communities and mobile home parks, some have golf pars, tennis courts and amentities.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,887, and the median income for a family was $42,461. Males had a median income of $29,598 versus $25,289 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,215. About 10.2% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over, despite Cathedral City has a history being a retirement haven.
