Demographics
According to CBS, in 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was 80% Jewish and other non-Arab, and 20% Arab (16% Muslim and 4% Christian). There were 500 immigrant settlers. See Population groups in Israel.
According to CBS, in 2001 there were 32,000 males and 30,000 females. The population of the city was spread out with 36% 19 years of age or younger, 18% between 20 and 29, 19% between 30 and 44, 15% from 45 to 59, 3% from 60 to 64, and 9% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 1.0%.
Income
According to CBS, as of 2000, in the city there were 21,000 salaried workers and 1,700 are self-employed. The mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker in the city is ILS 4,300, a real change of 4.4% over the course of 2000. Salaried males have a mean monthly wage of ILS 5,200 (a real change of 3.3%) versus ILS 3,300 for females (a real change of 6.3%). The mean income for the self-employed is 4,900. There are 1,100 people who receive unemployment benefits and 5,600 people who receive an income guarantee.
Education
According to CBS, there are 31 schools and 12,000 students in the city. They are spread out as 22 elementary schools and 7,700 elementary school students, and 9 high schools and 3,800 high school students. 47% of 12th grade students were entitled to a matriculation certificate in 2001.