Oconee County is included in the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Progressive Farmer rated Oconee County as third best in the list of 2006 "Best Places to Live" in the U.S., one of two places to place in the top ten two years running.
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,225 people, 9,051 households, and 7,322 families residing in the county. The population density was 55/km² (141/mi²). There were 9,528 housing units at an average density of 20/km² (51/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.58% White, 6.42% Black or African American, 1.43% Asian, 0.18% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 3.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,051 households out of which 44.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.80% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.10% were non-families. 15.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $55,211, and the median income for a family was $61,502. Males had a median income of $41,223 versus $27,271 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,153. About 4.90% of families and 6.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.40% of those under age 18 and 11.40% of those age 65 or over.