2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 15,839. The median age was 36.2 years. 28.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.8 males age 18 and over.[13][14]
The racial makeup of the county was 60.6% White, 3.6% Black or African American, 3.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 1.6% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 19.5% from some other race, and 11.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 34.8% of the population.[14]
37.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 62.8% lived in rural areas.[15]
There were 5,731 households in the county, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.0% were married-couple households, 18.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 6,741 housing units, of which 15.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.9% were owner-occupied and 27.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.8%.[13]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[16] there were 15,757 people, 5,708 households, and 4,223 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 6,434 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.61% White, 4.94% Black or African American, 1.82% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 11.84% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. 19.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.32% reported speaking Spanish at home.[17]
There were 5,708 households, out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.20% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,144, and the median income for a family was $34,560. Males had a median income of $25,709 versus $17,666 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,122. About 14.40% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.90% of those under age 18 and 14.20% of those age 65 or over.
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