[5] Richland Airport (93C) serves the county and surrounding communities.

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 17,924 people, 7,118 households, and 4,833 families residing in the county.

The racial makeup of the county was 98.39% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races.

37.7% were of German, 12.5% Norwegian, 10.3% Irish, 9.5% English and 8.8% American ancestry.

27.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.