Morgan County is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.
As of the census of 2000, there were 36,616 people, 14,039 households, and 9,251 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 15,291 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.34% White, 5.36% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.3% were of German, 17.3% American, 16.5% English and 10.3% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 14,039 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,933, and the median income for a family was $46,040. Males had a median income of $31,218 versus $23,174 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,205. About 6.00% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.60% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.