Hughes County

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 17,765 people, 7,240 households, and 4,506 families residing in the county. The population density was 24.0 inhabitants per square mile (9.3/km2).

Of the residents, 24.0% were under the age of 18 and 18.0% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 males.

The racial makeup of the county was 80.1% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 12.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.8% of the population.

There were 7,240 households in the county, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 7,922 housing units, of which 8.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.5% were owner-occupied and 32.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 17,022 people, 7,066 households, and 4,435 families in the county. The population density was 23.0 inhabitants per square mile (8.9/km2). There were 7,623 housing units at an average density of 10.3 per square mile (4.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.7% white, 10.5% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 42.7% were German, 12.4% were Norwegian, 9.8% were Irish, 9.7% were English, and 3.8% were American.

Of the 7,066 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.2% were non-families, and 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 39.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $53,501 and the median income for a family was $70,881. Males had a median income of $42,701 versus $32,265 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,236. About 7.1% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.