City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Cape Girardeau, MO

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cape Girardeau - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

40,047
Residents
$54,870
Median income
$186,100
Median home
$992
Median rent (state)

Cape Girardeau - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Cape Girardeau places in the 27th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

27th
percentile, household income
38th
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
15th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cape Girardeau, MO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 40,047 residents in Cape Girardeau, a small city within Missouri. Median household income here is $54,870 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.9%. Home values in Cape Girardeau run a median of $186,100, and the median resident age is 34.2 years. About 36.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 46 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 94% from five years earlier. Cape Girardeau's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3079.6 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Missouri at 90.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $992 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $219 across Missouri, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Cape Girardeau report an average commute of 14.7 minutes, with 79.9% driving alone and 7.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 85.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

40,047 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$54,870 /yr

Poverty 9.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Cape Girardeau compare to other US cities?

Here's how Cape Girardeau stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 27% higher than other cities
Home value 38% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Missouri and the picture shifts: Cape Girardeau ranks #189 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Cape Girardeau's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Missouri, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

27thIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

27th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cape Girardeau's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cape Girardeau's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 38 Avg. percentile National median
Cape Girardeau's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Cape Girardeau's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$186,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 62% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cape Girardeau $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cape Girardeau, MO Cape Girardeau, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cape Girardeau, MO-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cape Girardeau, MO median $54,870/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cape Girardeau, MO's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cape Girardeau, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
40,047
Median Income
$54,870
Median Home Value
$186,100
Median Age
34.2
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Labor force participation
59.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3079.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
623.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2456.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
39,500 residents40,000 residents40,500 residents41,000 residents41,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 39,774 residents 40,977 residents ▲ +3.0%
Cape Girardeau's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
46
housing units authorized
Single-Family
46
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 772
2020 123
2021 112
2022 57
2023 39
2024 46

Permit volume decreased 94% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.7 minutes
Drive Alone
79.9%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
7.1%
Other
1.7%

Based on 19,622 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Missouri - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$219
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Missouri state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Missouri state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cape Girardeau sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$992/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Jefferson City
42,565 people
Wildwood
35,168 people
Oakville
35,166 people
University City
34,655 people
Wentzville
45,734 people
Ballwin
30,835 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cape Girardeau's 40,047 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Plant City, FL
40,009 people
Culver City, CA
39,993 people
Norwich, CT
39,992 people
Oviedo, FL
39,990 people
Cottage Grove, MN
40,124 people
Hurst, TX
39,912 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cape Girardeau's $54,870 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Comstock Park, MI
$54,871 median income
Leon, IA
$54,868 median income
Murphys, CA
$54,875 median income
Chester, NE
$54,875 median income
Homeland, CA
$54,863 median income
Funston, GA
$54,861 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cape Girardeau, MO Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cape Girardeau, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.5% 15.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.4% White 76.5% Black or African American 15.0% Asian 2.6% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 1.0% Two or more races 4.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cape Girardeau compares to nearby Missouri cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cape Girardeau (this city) 40,047 $54,870
Jefferson City 42,565 $67,205
Wildwood 35,168 $157,750
Oakville 35,166 $103,125
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cape Girardeau, MO?

What is the population of Cape Girardeau, MO? +

Cape Girardeau, MO has a population of 40,047 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cape Girardeau, MO? +

In Cape Girardeau, the typical household earns $54,870 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cape Girardeau? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cape Girardeau; the closest available measure is the Missouri state average, a cost of living index of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Missouri vary by metro area.

Is Cape Girardeau, MO safe? +

Cape Girardeau has a total crime rate of 3079.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Cape Girardeau, MO? +

Homes in Cape Girardeau carry a median value of $186,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.