As of the census of 2000, there were 36,280 people, 14,726 households, and 10,057 families living in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 18,904 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.89% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.8% were of English, 14.7% United States or American, 12.7% Irish, 8.5% French and 5.6% German ancestry. 97.1% spoke English and 1.5% French as their first language.