2020 census As of the
2020 census, there were 17,948 people, 7,205 households, and 4,635 families residing in the county. The median age was 47.6 years; 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 118.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 119.7 males age 18 and over. There were 7,205 households in the county, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.1% were married-couple households, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2000, there were 17,499 people, 6,827 households, and 4,751 families residing in the county. The
population density was . There were 7,879 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.40%
White, 2.42%
Black or
African American, 0.34%
Native American, 0.12%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 0.23% from
other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race. There were 6,827 households, out of which 26.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were
married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% 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 2.81. In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.70% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 114.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.40 males. The median income for a household in the county was $23,067, and the median income for a family was $28,400. Males had a median income of $24,018 versus $18,817 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $13,388. About 18.70% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 26.80% of those under age 18 and 21.50% of those age 65 or over. Male inmates in the
Northeast Correctional Complex, southwest of Mountain City, account for 1,299 (7.4%) of the county's population. ==Communities==