2000 33,866 1990 30,974 1980 31,545 1970 30,547 1960 30,765 1950 29,734 1940 28,411 1930 27,329 1920 27,737 1910 26,674 1900 28,202 1890 27,370 1880 23,472 1870 17,330 1860 14,505 1850 11,869 1840 7,508 1830 1,423
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,866 people, 12,545 households, and 9,057 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 13,267 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.38% White, 5.30% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.18% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 7.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.8% were of American, 23.3% German, 10.0% Irish and 9.0% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 12,545 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,759, and the median income for a family was $53,864. Males had a median income of $36,385 versus $24,378 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,862. About 6.30% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.