As of the census of 2000, there were 9,504 people, 3,435 households, and 2,538 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 3,916 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 20.98% White, 70.37% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. 2.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,435 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.4 under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,676, and the median income for a family was $31,445. Males had a median income of $25,694 versus $18,472 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,454. About 20.5% of families and 26.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.