2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,704. The median age was 44.2 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.3 males age 18 and over.[20][21]
The racial makeup of the county was 93.5% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.9% of the population.
55.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 44.1% lived in rural areas.[22]
There were 9,284 households in the county, of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 10,327 housing units, of which 10.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.3% were owner-occupied and 29.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.6%.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 22,993 people, 9,316 households, and 6,204 families in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 10,030 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.69% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 56.6% were of German, 6.9% Irish, 6.3% English and 6.3% American ancestry.
There were 9,316 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 29.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.91.
The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,908, and the median income for a family was $43,072. Males had a median income of $29,680 versus $21,305 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,190. About 6.60% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.
