2000 48,508 1990 48,139 1980 53,336 1970 52,603 1960 48,899 1950 45,505 1940 40,208 1930 35,238 1920 34,682 1910 29,758 1900 25,088 1890 23,879 1880 24,016 1870 22,986 1860 20,119 1850 17,605 1840 15,128 1830 6,497
As of the census of 2000, there were 48,508 people, 19,486 households, and 13,971 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile (48/km²). There were 20,592 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.96% White, 0.86% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.8% were of American, 19.6% German, 13.8% English and 9.1% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 19,486 households out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,150, and the median income for a family was $45,470. Males had a median income of $36,439 versus $22,432 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,355. About 6.0% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.