2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had 7,581 people in 3,264 households, including 2,002 families, and the median age was 49.0 years.[15]
20.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.9% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 98.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.1 males age 18 and over.[15]
The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.7% of the population.[16]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[17]
There were 3,941 housing units, of which 17.2% were vacant; among occupied units, 76.2% were owner-occupied and 23.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.[15]
2000 census
As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 7,976 people, 3,379 households, and 2,331 families residing in the county. The 2005 Census Estimate placed the population at 7,992.[19] The population density was 34 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 3,959 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.75% White, 1.44% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 4.99% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,379 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.50% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 27.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,958, and the median income for a family was $29,784. Males had a median income of $23,513 versus $16,219 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,320. About 14.30% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.40% of those under age 18 and 27.60% of those age 65 or over.
