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CITY · 2010 ACS

Cape Girardeau

Missouri · 37,941 residents · 29.265 sq mi
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The short version

Cape Girardeau has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,284. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $127,100. At a median age of 32.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 32.1
US median: 37.2
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
37,941
+7%since 2000
from 35,349 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,296 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 1,208 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
32.1
−4%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
34K36K37K39K41K1990201020202024Cape Girardeau
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,284
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,452 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,680
+15%since 2000
from $18,918 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
21.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
19.8%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.458
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade9.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$127,100
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$596
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $436 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.4%
−22.0 ptssince 2000
from 57.3% in 2000
46.6% rent
Vacancy rate
8.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
20.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.2
+18%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cape Girardeau on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(30,650)
Black9.3%(3,276)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(388)
Asian1.1%(396)
Other0%
Diversity Score26.4%(9,327)
2010
White, non-Hispanic80.2%(30,432)
Black12.7%(4,807)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(1,046)
Asian1.9%(716)
Other2.4%(915)
Diversity Score42.3%(16,031)
Diversity Score
42
+60%since 2000
from 26 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 29.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
84.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 81.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
11.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.7 min
+33%since 2000
from 11.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
4.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
32.4%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.3%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cape Girardeau

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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+96%
Home value$240,000+89%
Population16,033−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Sikeston
Income$58,915+50%
Home value$168,800+33%
Population15,983−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Perryville
Income$51,897+32%
Home value$179,700+41%
Population8,593−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Carbondale
Income$32,128−18%
Home value$127,900+1%
Population21,811−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

Cape Girardeau, Missouri has about 37,941 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cape Girardeau, Missouri earns about $39,284 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 $127,100, and the typical rent is about $596 a month.

How educated are people in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

About 30.4% 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 19.8% 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 3,503 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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

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