As of the U.S. Census of 2000, there were 39,018 people, 16,408 households, and 10,976 families residing in the county. The population density was 95 people per square mile (37/km²). There were 18,105 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.63% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.6% were of American, 16.2% German, 14.9% English, 11.4% Irish and 6.6% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.2% spoke English and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.
There were 16,408 households out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,411, and the median income for a family was $36,294. Males had a median income of $31,429 versus $19,664 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,407. About 12.60% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.