Shelby County, Illinois - Demographics

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,893 people, 9,056 households, and 6,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 10,060 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.94% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.21% Asian American, 0.14% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 0.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.1% were of German, 24.7% American, 10.7% Irish and 10.4% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 9,056 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,313, and the median income for a family was $44,372. Males had a median income of $31,904 versus $21,075 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,313. About 6.50% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.