As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 7,847 people, 3,116 households, and 2,156 families in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4/km2). There were 3,456 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.61% White, 0.01% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.0% were of German, 16.3% Norwegian and 5.4% American ancestry.