2000 46,275 1990 37,877 1980 35,443 1970 31,382 1960 28,162 1950 25,075 1940 22,776 1930 22,404 1920 22,470 1910 24,009 1900 23,533 1890 23,359 1880 22,956 1870 20,389 1860 14,915 1850 7,946 1840 2,702
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,275 people, 16,696 households, and 12,288 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile (43/km²). There were 18,233 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.98% White, 0.41% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.04% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 7.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.5% were of German, 21.0% American, 8.7% English and 6.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 16,696 households out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.00% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,700, and the median income for a family was $49,037. Males had a median income of $35,124 versus $24,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,896. About 5.60% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.