According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The majority of Candler County is located in the Canoochee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River basin. The very western edge of the county, west of State Route 57, is located in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,577 people, 3,375 households, and 2,426 families living in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile. There were 3,893 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 65.45% White, 27.08% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.16% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 9.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 3,375 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couplesliving together, 14.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.17. In the county, the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males. The median income for a household in the county was $25,022, and the median income for a family was $30,705. Males had a median income of $24,482 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,958. About 21.40% of families and 26.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.90% of those under age 18 and 22.00% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,998 people, 4,041 households, and 2,793 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 4,761 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 65.9% white, 24.4% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 8.0% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 11.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 10.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, 8.2% were German, and 4.6% were American. Of the 4,041 households, 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age was 37.6 years. The median income for a household in the county was $35,828 and the median income for a family was $39,105. Males had a median income of $31,348 versus $23,044 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,068. About 18.5% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.
