Cape Girardeau, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cape Girardeau, Missouri had a total population of 40,344, the 17th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $55,658, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Cape Girardeau Quick Facts
How Cape Girardeau Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,047 | 40,344 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $54,870 | $55,658 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $186,100 | $196,300 | +5.5% |
How Cape Girardeau Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cape Girardeau Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Cape Girardeau County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 15,659 | $77,105 | 8.6% | $240,000 |
| Scott City | 4,371 | $62,599 | 11.2% | $147,500 |
| Delta | 532 | $45,625 | 6.2% | $119,400 |
| Gordonville | 473 | $82,750 | 1.5% | $241,500 |
| Oak Ridge | 298 | $71,458 | 4.7% | $131,300 |
| Millersville | 280 | $75,781 | 0.0% | $145,300 |
| Dutchtown | 187 | $86,111 | 2.1% | $154,200 |
| Burfordville | 147 | N/A | 8.2% | N/A |
| Allenville | 127 | $51,071 | 25.6% | $82,500 |
| Shawneetown | 122 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cape Girardeau
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | 42,488 | $66,371 | $218,700 | 38.7% | 12.0% |
| Joplin | 52,593 | $52,097 | $168,300 | 26.7% | 16.9% |
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | $148,800 | 22.4% | 10.1% |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | $306,700 | 64.9% | 14.5% |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | $218,400 | 31.4% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Cape Girardeau is a mid-sized community located in Missouri, within Cape Girardeau County. The total population is 40,344. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cape Girardeau is 34.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cape Girardeau is $55,658. This is 21% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 66% 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 2.6%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $196,300. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 54.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cape Girardeau is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.2%.
Education
34.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cape Girardeau, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cape Girardeau, Missouri?
Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a population of 40,344 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cape Girardeau, MO?
The median household income in Cape Girardeau is $55,658, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cape Girardeau, MO?
The poverty rate in Cape Girardeau is 20.8%. This means approximately 7,711 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cape Girardeau, Missouri?
Cape Girardeau's population is 75.2% White, 13.2% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cape Girardeau, MO?
The median home value in Cape Girardeau is $196,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Cape Girardeau, Missouri?
34.9% of adults (25+) in Cape Girardeau hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.