CensusEasy
CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Cape Girardeau

Missouri · 35,349 residents · 29.265 sq mi
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The short version

Cape Girardeau has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $32,452. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $88,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 33.6
US median: 35.2
More educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
35,349
+3%since 1990
from 34,438 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,208 / sq mi
+3%since 1990
from 1,177 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
33.6
+10%since 1990
from 30.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
34K36K37K39K41K1990201020202024Cape Girardeau
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,452
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,634 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,918
+54%since 1990
from $12,254 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
15.2%
−2.8 ptssince 1990
from 18.0% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$88,800
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $58,000 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$436
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $331 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
57.3%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 57.4% in 1990
42.7% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+7%since 1990
from 2.6 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cape Girardeau on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic90.3%(31,104)
Black7.6%(2,630)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(218)
Asian1.4%(498)
Diversity Score23.6%(8,112)
2000
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(30,650)
Black9.3%(3,276)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(388)
Asian1.1%(396)
Diversity Score26.4%(9,327)
Diversity Score
26
+12%since 1990
from 24 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.3%
+4.9 ptssince 1990
from 24.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
81.6%
+4.6 ptssince 1990
from 77.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
9.9%
+1.7 ptssince 1990
from 8.2% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.0 min
−15%since 1990
from 13.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Cape Girardeau

North Fort Myers
Pop 44,993
Leesburg
Pop 38,905
Hallandale Beach
Pop 42,698
Biscayne Gardens
Pop 35,472
Places similar to Cape Girardeau
Head to head

Compare Cape Girardeau to nearby cities

CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Jackson
Income$77,105+138%
Home value$240,000+170%
Population16,033−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Sikeston
Income$58,915+82%
Home value$168,800+90%
Population15,983−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Perryville
Income$51,897+60%
Home value$179,700+102%
Population8,593−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Carbondale
Income$32,128−1%
Home value$127,900+44%
Population21,811−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

Cape Girardeau, Missouri has about 35,349 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

The typical household in Cape Girardeau, Missouri earns about $32,452 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cape Girardeau, Missouri expensive?

In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the median home is worth about $88,800, and the typical rent is about $436 a month.

How educated are people in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

About 29.3% of adults age 25 and over in Cape Girardeau, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

About 15.2% of people in Cape Girardeau, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cape Girardeau, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Cape Girardeau, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 911 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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