As of the 2000 census, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km2). There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.5% were of German, 13.5% American, 13.3% Italian, 10.9% Irish, 8.2% English and 5.8% Polish ancestry.