As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 19,761 people, 8,095 households, and 5,261 families in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km2). There were 9,680 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.95% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 4.40% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 2.21% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 48.3% were of Norwegian and 22.0% German ancestry.