As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,889 people, 6,941 households, and 4,735 families residing in the county.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 19,564 people living in the county, down from its peak in 1940.

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 19,661 people, 7,567 households, and 5,380 families living in the county.

There were 7,567 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 16.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families.

26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.