2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 17,996. The median age was 48.0 years. 19.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 111.2 males age 18 and over.[21][22]
The racial makeup of the county was 61.6% White, 32.9% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.[22]
1.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 98.2% lived in rural areas.[23]
There were 6,801 households in the county, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]
There were 7,724 housing units, of which 11.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.2% were owner-occupied and 24.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.[21]
2010 Census
As of the census[24] of 2010, there were 18,570 people, 6,279 households, and 4,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 7,058 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (4.6/km2).
There were 6,279 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 111.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,995, and the median income for a family was $41,324. Males had a median income of $32,436 versus $20,831 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,930. About 11.70% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.90% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.
