As of the 2000 census, there were 8,746 people, 3,353 households, and 2,223 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 4,631 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.61% White, 4.99% Black or African American, 12.04% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 3.82% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of Finnish, 9.9% German and 8.6% French ancestry according to Census 2000. 92.5% spoke English, 4.9% Finnish and 1.7% Spanish as their first language.
There were 3,353 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% 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 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 111.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,673, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $32,138 versus $22,030 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,860. About 7.20% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.