As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 6,851 people, 2,956 households, and 1,921 families in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile. There were 4,671 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 97.02% White, 0.04% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.76% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 1.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.6% were of German, 16.4% English, 11.0% Irish, 7.8% American and 7.3% Norwegian ancestry. There were 2,956 households out of which 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couplesliving together, 4.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.00% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.85. The county population contained 22.90% under the age of 18, 4.90% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 30.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.90 males. The median income for a household in the county was $30,233, and the median income for a family was $35,536. Males had a median income of $26,606 versus $17,917 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,944. About 10.20% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,691 people, 3,560 households, and 2,192 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 6,940 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 96.8% white, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.8% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 31.0% were German, 19.7% were English, 18.9% were Irish, 7.3% were Norwegian, 5.9% were Swedish, 5.0% were Scottish, and 2.9% were American. Of the 3,560 households, 21.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.4% were non-families, and 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.67. The median age was 49.8 years. The median income for a household in the county was $42,998 and the median income for a family was $52,636. Males had a median income of $38,495 versus $28,125 for females. The per capita income for the county was $32,205. About 8.5% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
