It is the home county of the current Governor of Texas, James Richard "Rick" Perry.
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,093 people, 2,569 households, and 1,775 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,555 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.78% White, 2.79% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 11.67% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. 20.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,569 households out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 25.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 88.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,690, and the median income for a family was $29,506. Males had a median income of $23,542 versus $16,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,918. About 16.90% of families and 22.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.00% of those under age 18 and 15.40% of those age 65 or over.