As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 12,066 people, 4,957 households, and 3,187 families in the county. The population density was 10.2/sqmi (3.92/km2). There were 5,729 housing units at an average density of 4.83/sqmi (1.86/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.31% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 5.40% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.7% were of German and 33.7% Norwegian ancestry.