As of the census of 2000, there were 10,743 people, 4,181 households, and 3,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 5,138 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.27% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 30.8% were of American, 21.4% German, 12.7% Irish and 11.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 4,181 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,646, and the median income for a family was $37,869. Males had a median income of $30,649 versus $21,128 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,926, which was the lowest in the state of Indiana, in large part because of a high dropout rate and little labor opportunity. About 11.10% of families and 16.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.
Crawford County has five elementary schools and one junior-senior high school with grades 7-12. Elementary schools are Patoka (Township) Elementary School in Taswell, English Elementary School in English, Marengo Elementary School in Marengo, Leavenworth Elementary School in Leavenworth and Milltown Elementary School in Milltown. The high school is Crawford County Junior-Senior High School in Marengo (on State Road 66 between Marengo and the Interstate 64 exchange).
Great amenities to Crawford County are Patoka Lake and State Reservoir which lies in and along the northwest border of the county and extends into Orange County and Dubois County, Hemlock Cliffs State Park just southwest of the Grantsburg (south of English) area, Marengo Cave in Marengo, Wyandotte Cave just east of Leavenworth and the Blue River which runs along the eastern border of the county through Milltown and bordering with Harrison County. Much of the southern border of the county runs directly along the Ohio River.