As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 42,285 people, 15,555 households, and 11,790 families in the county. The population density was 86.3/sqmi (33.3/km2). There were 17,193 housing units at an average density of 35.1/sqmi (13.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.08% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of American, 28.2% German, 10.7% English and 10.2% Irish ancestry.