2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 25,996. The median age was 40.2 years, with 23.3% of residents under the age of 18 and 18.1% aged 65 years or older.[13]
For every 100 females there were 99.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.8 males age 18 and over. 47.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 52.1% lived in rural areas.[13][14]
The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 6.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.4% of the population.[15]
There were 10,233 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 11,149 housing units, of which 8.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.7% were owner-occupied and 30.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.4%.[13]
2000 census
As of the U.S. Census in 2000,[16] there were 24,784 people, 9,452 households, and 6,720 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 10,229 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.05% White, 1.21% Black or African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.78% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.62% of the population.
There were 9,452 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,052, and the median income for a family was $45,197. Males had a median income of $31,223 versus $22,992 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,311. About 5.60% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
