2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 6,722. The median age was 47.2 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.6 males age 18 and over. [10] [11]
The racial makeup of the county was 92.9% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.6% of the population. [11]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. [12]
There were 2,851 households in the county, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [10]
There were 3,324 housing units, of which 14.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.7% were owner-occupied and 23.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%. [10]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census, [13] there were 7,791 people, 3,155 households, and 2,240 families in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). There were 3,723 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.63% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 1.07% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.7% were of German, 13.9% Swedish, 10.1% Irish, 8.8% American, 7.0% English and 5.4% Danish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,155 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.93.
The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 21.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,954, and the median income for a family was $40,515. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $20,663 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,654. About 6.60% of families and 8.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.
United States
Nebraska 
