According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has 24.4 square miles (63 km2). 23.7 square miles (61 km2) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (2.91%) is water. The 2000 census included 28,195 people, 11,197 households, and 7,725 families. The population density was 1,191.4 inhabitants per square mile (460.0/km2). There were 11,574 housing units at an average density of 489.1 per square mile (188.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.66% White, especially Italian Americans (46.7%), 0.65% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. There were 11,197 households, of which 27.8% had children under 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households comprised individuals, and 13.2% had someone who was 65 or older living alone. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02. Age distribution was 20.9% under 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.