As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 36,070 people, 14,289 households, and 10,188 families in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km2). There were 15,946 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.71% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 1.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.1% were of German, 14.1% English, 11.1% Irish, 7.9% American and 6.3% Norwegian ancestry.