As of the census of 2000, there were 56,340 people, 23,009 households, and 13,575 families residing in the city. The population density was 11,102.9 people per square mile (4,290.5/km²). There were 23,634 housing units at an average density of 4,657.5/sq mi (1,799.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.09% White, 8.15% African American, 0.14% Native American, 13.99% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.10% from other races, and 3.46% from two or more races. 4.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,009 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,654, and the median income for a family was $55,557. Males had a median income of $37,741 versus $31,157 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,004. About 6.6% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
Route 28, Route 60, Route 99, and U.S. 1 run through Malden. Route 16 and Interstate 93 are a short distance outside the city's borders.
The city is served by the Orange Line subway that connects it to downtown Boston. The city's subway stops are Malden Center and Oak Grove. The MBTA's commuter rail also has one stop in the city (Malden Center) and can stop at Oak Grove if necessary. During the last few years, the MBTA updated signal systems and Orange Line Service had been unavailable at nights, but since September 2007 this is only a rare occasion on week-ends. At those times, signal system repairs closed off the northern portion of the Orange Line while the MBTA staff redirected commuters to use replacement bus service from either Haymarket or later from Wellington Station.
Bus service to all adjacent communities is also available via the service of the MBTA.
Boston's Logan International Airport is easily accessible from Malden.