[4] As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 13,754 people, 5,697 households and 3,760 families residing in the county.

The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2).

The racial makeup of the county was 97.98% White, 0.60% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.15% from other races and 0.76% from two or more races.

There were 5,697 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.00% were non-families.

30.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.