Racial and ethnic composition 2020 census As of the
2020 census, there were 16,531 people, 6,536 households, and 3,971 families residing in the county. The median age was 45.7 years; 17.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.2 males. The racial makeup of the county was 34.9% White, 61.0%
Black or African American, 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
Asian, 0.0%
Native Hawaiian and
Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 2.5% from
two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. There were 6,536 households in the county, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 39.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The population density was . There were 7,775 housing units at an average density of . The
racial makeup of the county was 64.3% black or African American, 33.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. Of the 6,797 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.8% were non-families, and 29.3% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age was 38.9 years.
2000 census At the
2000 census, there were 20,119 people, 6,886 households, and 4,916 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 7,670 housing units at an average density of . The
racial makeup of the county was 63.56% Black or African American, 35.03% White, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 6,886 households 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.00% were married couples living together, 23.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.90% of households were one person and 10.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.23. The age distribution was 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males. The median household income was $26,907 and the median family income was $34,209. Males had a median income of $26,512 versus $18,993 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,896. About 17.70% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 27.90% of those age 65 or over. ==Law and government==