As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 17,023 people, 7,210 households, and 4,535 families in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5/km2). There were 8,206 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.93% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 49.9% were of German, 11.7% Norwegian, 6.1% Irish, 5.8% English and 5.5% United States or American ancestry.