Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,332 km² (900 mi²). 2,331 km² (900 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.06% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 27,507 people, 11,193 households, and 6,771 families residing in the county. The population density is 12/km² (31/mi²). There are 12,078 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (13/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 96.10% White, 0.67% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.31% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 2.37% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 11,193 households out of which 28.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% are married couples living together, 7.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.50% are non-families. 30.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.35 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the county the population is spread out with 22.40% under the age of 18, 18.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 19.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $32,339, and the median income for a family is $44,498. Males have a median income of $29,885 versus $21,269 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,259. 12.90% of the population and 6.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.20% are under the age of 18 and 10.00% are 65 or older.