Cape Girardeau city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cape Girardeau city, Missouri has a total population of 40,047, the 17th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $54,870, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Cape Girardeau city Quick Facts
How Cape Girardeau city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cape Girardeau city Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to Cape Girardeau city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City city | 42,565 | $67,205 | $208,000 | 36.9% | 12.5% |
| Joplin city | 52,218 | $51,154 | $159,700 | 26.4% | 17.9% |
| University City city | 34,655 | $76,466 | $285,100 | 64.2% | 13.4% |
| Florissant city | 51,915 | $66,344 | $136,200 | 22.7% | 9.5% |
| Raytown city | 29,593 | $67,227 | $162,000 | 22.8% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Cape Girardeau city is a mid-sized community located in Missouri. The total population is 40,047. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cape Girardeau city is 34.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cape Girardeau city is $54,870. This is 20% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $186,100. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 52.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cape Girardeau city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.0%.
Education
36.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cape Girardeau city, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cape Girardeau city, Missouri?
Cape Girardeau city, Missouri has a population of 40,047 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cape Girardeau city, MO?
The median household income in Cape Girardeau city is $54,870, which is 30% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cape Girardeau city, MO?
The poverty rate in Cape Girardeau city is 20.7%. This means approximately 7,602 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cape Girardeau city, Missouri?
Cape Girardeau city's population is 74.7% White, 15.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cape Girardeau city, MO?
The median home value in Cape Girardeau city is $186,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Cape Girardeau city, Missouri?
36.6% of adults (25+) in Cape Girardeau city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.