[citation needed] As of the 2010 census, there were 11,586 people, 5,099 households, and 3,202 families living in the county.

There were 5,836 housing units at an average density of 1.3 per square mile (0.50/km2).

The racial makeup of the county was 96.6% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races.

In terms of ancestry, 30.8% were German, 15.9% were English, 14.7% were Norwegian, 12.8% were Irish, and 4.2% were American.

Males had a median income of $35,110 versus $21,225 for females.