2020 census As of the
2020 census, the county had a population of 45,905. Of the residents, 17.5% were under the age of 18 and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 47.6 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.0 males. The racial makeup of the county was 90.1% White, 1.2%
Black or African American, 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
Asian, 1.1% from some other race, and 6.2% from
two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.9% of the population. The population density was . There were 29,735 housing units at an average density of . The county's racial makeup was 95.3% white, 1.0% Asian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population.
2000 census As of the
census of 2000, 44,216 people, 18,375 households, and 11,447 families resided in the county. The
population density was . There were 27,039 housing units at an average density of . The county's racial makeup was 96.72%
White, 0.50%
Black or
African American, 0.22%
Native American, 0.79%
Asian, 0.04%
Pacific Islander, 0.32% from
other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race. 18.1% were of
English, 13.3%
Irish, 9.5%
French, 8.9%
American, 7.7%
German, 6.0%
Italian and 5.0%
French Canadian ancestry. 95.9% spoke
English, 1.3%
Spanish and 1.2%
French as their first language. There were 18,375 households, of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% were
married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% 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 2.91. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 27.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males. The county's median household income was $38,204, and the median family income was $46,989. Males had a median income of $31,094 versus $24,650 for females. The county's
per capita income was $20,533. About 6.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over. ==Politics and government==