As of the 2000 United States Census, the county had 16,815 people, 6,674 households, and 4,524 families. The population density was 19.1/sqmi (7.39/km2). There were 7,230 housing units at an average density of 8.23/sqmi (3.18/km2). The county's racial makeup was 94.97% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 3.24% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 55.8% were of German and 13.7% Norwegian ancestry.