As of the 2000 United States Census there were 8,423 people, 3,330 households, and 2,287 families in the county. The population density was 8.43/sqmi (3.26/km2). There were 4,114 housing units at an average density of 4.12/sqmi (1.59/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.26% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 8.58% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 43.6% were of Norwegian, 15.6% German, 6.5% Swedish, and 6.2% American ancestry.