Adjacent counties

• Licking County (north)
• Muskingum County (northeast)
• Morgan County (southeast)
• Athens County (south)
• Hocking County (southwest)
• Fairfield County (west)

National protected area

• Wayne National Forest (part)

2000 census

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 34,078 people, 12,500 households, and 9,350 families living in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile (32 people/km²). There were 13,655 housing units at an average density of 33 units per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.54% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,500 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,383, and the median income for a family was $40,294. Males had a median income of $31,664 versus $21,147 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,674. About 9.4% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 36,058 people, 13,576 households, and 9,738 families living in the county.^[11] The population density was 88.4 inhabitants per square mile (34.1/km²). There were 15,211 housing units at an average density of 37.3 units per square mile (14.4 units/km²).^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.^[11] In terms of ancestry, 25.4% were German, 14.9% were Irish, 10.4% were English, and 9.6% were American.^[13]

Of the 13,576 households, 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.3% were non-families, and 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 38.6 years.^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,388 and the median income for a family was $50,489. Males had a median income of $39,305 versus $31,112 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,916. About 14.2% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.^[14]

Villages

Townships

Census-designated places

• Rose Farm
• Thornport

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

• Dicksonton
• San Toy