At the 2000 census there were 3,039 people in 1,158 households, including 802 families, in the city. The population density was 890.4 people per square mile. There were 1,264 housing units at an average density of 370.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 60.32% White, 33.63% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.62% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. 6.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 1,158 households 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 27.7% of households were one person and 15.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.12. The age distribution was 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males. The median household income was $26,189 and the median family income was $36,875. Males had a median income of $28,696 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,599. About 20.8% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.1% of those under age 18 and 19.9% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Hamburg is home-base to the Armadillo Festival, held the first weekend in May since 1970. Local slave Abby Guy sued for her freedom and a trial was held in Hamburg in April 1855. A jury of twelve white men found in her favor and set her free, but the decision was reversed by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Two more jury trials were then held and she was eventually freed.
Government
The current mayor of Hamburg is Dane Weindorf. Former mayors include Thomas Crow Hundley and Gordon Hennington.
Education
Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by the Hamburg School District, which is one of the two public school districts in Ashley County. In 2012, Hamburg High School was nationally recognized as a Silver Medalist and the No. 1737 and No. 14 in the Best High Schools Report developed by U.S. News & World Report.
