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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cape Girardeau

Missouri · 39,540 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 $45,713. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $153,400. At a median age of 34.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 22.9% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.0
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
39,540
+12%since 2000
from 35,349 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,351 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,208 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.0
+1%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
34K36K37K39K41K1990201020202024Cape Girardeau
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,713
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,452 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,503
+35%since 2000
from $18,918 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.7%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.2%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$153,400
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$762
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $436 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.2%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 57.3% in 2000
49.8% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+23%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic73.8%(29,166)
Black14.4%(5,682)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(1,466)
Asian2.6%(1,015)
Other3.1%(1,211)
Diversity Score50.3%(19,890)
Diversity Score
50
+91%since 2000
from 26 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.1%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 29.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.7%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 81.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.2%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.1 min
+55%since 2000
from 11.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.8%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 63.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.6%
−26.6 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
52.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.1%
−78.4 ptssince 2013
from 87.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Cape Girardeau to nearby cities

CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Jackson
Income$77,105+69%
Home value$240,000+56%
Population16,033−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Sikeston
Income$58,915+29%
Home value$168,800+10%
Population15,983−61%
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CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Perryville
Income$51,897+14%
Home value$179,700+17%
Population8,593−79%
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CAPE GIRARDEAU VS
Carbondale
Income$32,128−30%
Home value$127,900−17%
Population21,811−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

Cape Girardeau, Missouri has about 39,540 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cape Girardeau, Missouri earns about $45,713 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 $153,400, and the typical rent is about $762 a month.

How educated are people in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?

About 34.1% 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 22.9% 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 5,102 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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

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