As of the 2000 United States Census, of 2000, there were 11,893 people, 4,860 households, and 3,197 families living in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km2). There were 5,558 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.10% White, 1.18% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.29% from other races, 0.08% Black or African American, and 1.16% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of German, 13.5% American, 13.0% Norwegian, 9.3% Irish and 9.0% English ancestry. 97.1% spoke English, 1.2% German, and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.