2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 17,271. The median age was 48.4 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.5 males age 18 and over. [11] [12]
Sharp County racial composition [12] | Race | Percentage |
|---|
| White | 91.9% |
|---|
| Black or African American | 0.7% |
|---|
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.7% |
|---|
| Asian | 0.3% |
|---|
| Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
|---|
| Some other race | 0.8% |
|---|
| Two or more races | 5.4% |
|---|
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 2.1% |
|---|
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. [13]
There were 7,356 households in the county, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.8% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [11]
There were 9,499 housing units, of which 22.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.3% were owner-occupied and 23.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.3%. [11]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, [14] there were 17,119 people, 7,211 households, and 5,141 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 9,342 housing units at an average density of 16 units per square mile (6.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.14% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,211 households, out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 23.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,152, and the median income for a family was $29,691. Males had a median income of $23,329 versus $16,884 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,143. About 13.20% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 13.20% of those age 65 or over.
United States
Arkansas 
