As of the census of 2000, there were 16,428 people, 5,229 households, and 4,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 5,773 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.96% Race (United States Census), 0.28% Race (United States Census) or Race (United States Census), 0.68% Race (United States Census), 0.60% Race (United States Census), 0.04% Race (United States Census), 30.69% from Race (United States Census), and 2.75% from two or more races. 16.3% were of German people, 6.2% identified as United States or American and 5.6% English people ancestry. 57.0% spoke English language, 41.7% Spanish language and 1.2% German language as their first language.. Which group is smaller according to the census: households or families?