2020 census As of the
2020 census, the county had a population of 17,103. The median age was 40.7 years; 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 106.3 males age 18 and over. There were 6,584 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 7,281 housing units, of which 9.6% were vacant; among occupied housing units, 71.3% were owner-occupied and 28.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.2%.
Racial and ethnic composition As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the county was 86.8% White, 5.4% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.
2000 census As of the 2000
census, there were 16,670 people, 5,932 households and 4,140 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 6,676 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 89.05%
White, 8.96%
Black or
African American, 0.36%
Native American, 0.23%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 0.28% from
other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Approximately 0.86% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race. There were 5,932 households, of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were
married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97. Age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 14.00% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.00 males. The
median household income was $35,313, and the median family income was $41,526. Males had a median income of $28,513 versus $20,965 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $15,648. About 8.30% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over. ==Education==