As of the census of 2000, there were 8,767 people, 3,426 households, and 2,351 families residing in the county. There were 3,901 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 98.7% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,426 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.13.
30.1% of the population is 19 years and younger, 4.3% from 20 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,331, and the median income for a family was $44,441. Males had a median income of $28,856 versus $20,979 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,394. About 4.8% of the families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.