The Brownwood Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Brown County.
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,674 people, 14,306 households, and 10,014 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 17,889 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.35% White, 4.01% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 6.07% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. 15.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,306 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,974, and the median income for a family was $37,725. Males had a median income of $30,169 versus $19,647 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,624. About 14.00% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.