The county has been depopulating since 1940, almost always losing population decade after decade, like some other rural Black Belt counties.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,395. The median age was 40.7 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.3 males age 18 and over.[12][13]
The racial makeup of the county was 42.5% White, 47.4% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.6% from some other race, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.8% of the population.[13]
37.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 62.2% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 4,891 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 35.7% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 38.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 5,795 housing units, of which 15.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 57.1% were owner-occupied and 42.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%.[12]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 15,341 people, 5,922 households, and 4,192 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 6,663 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 50.50% White, 46.33% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 3.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,922 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.50% were married couples living together, 19.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,121, and the median income for a family was $30,028. Males had a median income of $29,623 versus $18,913 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,446. About 23.60% of families and 28.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.60% of those under age 18 and 24.00% of those age 65 or over.
.svg){kind=small}
