According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 577 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 577 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.03%) is water.[4]
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 11,658 and a population density of20.3/sq mi (7.8/km2). 96.59% of the population reported being of one race.[11]
The median age was 46.0 years, 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 25.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.7 males age 18 and over.[11]
40.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 59.6% lived in rural areas.[13]
There were 5,008 households in the county, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.1% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 5,558 housing units, of which 9.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.0% were owner-occupied and 23.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.[11]
The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,072 in the county, with a population density of21.3/sq mi (8.2/km2). There were 5,777 housing units, of which 5,207 were occupied.[14]
As of thecensus[15] of 2000, there were 13,035 people, 5,378 households, and 3,597 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km2). There were 5,850 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.33%White, 0.31%Black orAfrican American, 0.16%Native American, 0.43%Asian, 0.37% fromother races, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 5,378 households, out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% weremarried couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,142, and the median income for a family was $42,897. Males had a median income of $29,612 versus $21,181 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,934. About 5.50% of families and 7.30% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.