As of the census of 2000, there were 22,780 people, 8,764 households, and 6,213 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 9,579 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.70% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.6% were of German, 17.2% Norwegian, 11.6% English, 11.3% Irish and 7.9% American ancestry.