At the 2000 census there were 16,976 people, 6,708 households, and 4,460 families in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 7,302 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.11% White, 1.66% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.56%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.