Owen County is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.
2000 21,786 1990 17,281 1980 15,841 1970 12,163 1960 11,400 1950 11,763 1940 12,090 1930 11,351 1920 12,760 1910 14,053 1900 15,149 1890 15,040 1880 15,901 1870 16,137 1860 14,376 1850 12,106 1840 8,359 1830 4,017 1820 838
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,786 people, 8,282 households, and 6,194 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 9,853 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.21% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 36.6% were of American, 21.0% German, 9.3% Irish and 8.9% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 8,282 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,529, and the median income for a family was $41,282. Males had a median income of $32,011 versus $21,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,884. About 6.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.