Cape Girardeau County, MO

County

2024 Population

82,735

US Senator

Josh Hawley

Republican Party

US Senator

Eric Schmitt

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

37.1

0.27% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

13.9%

0.871% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$68,464

0.65% 1-year decline

2024 Median Property Value

Population & Diversity

Cape Girardeau County, MO is home to a population of 82.7k people, from which 98.4% are citizens.

As of 2024, 2.43% of Cape Girardeau County, MO residents were born outside of the country (2.01k people).

In 2024, there were 11.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (69.1k people) in Cape Girardeau County, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.11k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.61k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.4%

2024 Citizenship

98.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.4% of Cape Girardeau County, MO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Cape Girardeau County, MO was 98.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Cape Girardeau County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Cape Girardeau County, MO

White (Non-Hispanic)
69.1k ± 344
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
6.11k ± 460
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
2.61k ± 458

2.95%

Hispanic Population

2.44k people

2.95% of the people in Cape Girardeau County, MO are hispanic (2.44k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Cape Girardeau County, MO as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Missouri.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
42,470 ± 5,042 people
India
24,378 ± 3,826 people
China
16,113 ± 3,112 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Missouri was Mexico, the natal country of 42,470 Missouri residents, followed by India with 24,378 and China with 16,113.

Foreign-Born Population

2.43%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.01k people

2.36%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.94k people

As of 2024, 2.43% of Cape Girardeau County, MO residents (2.01k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Cape Girardeau County, MO was 2.36%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Cape Girardeau County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,739 ± 248
Gulf War (2001-)
865 ± 228
Gulf War (1990s)
528 ± 151

Cape Girardeau County, MO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.01 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Cape Girardeau County, MO.

Health

92.6% of the population of Cape Girardeau County, MO has health coverage, with 52.3% on employee plans, 12.9% on Medicaid, 13% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 1.38% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Cape Girardeau County, MO see 1,110 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,110 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1405 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 329 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,110 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cape Girardeau County, MO

Primary care physicians in Cape Girardeau County, MO see an average of 1,110 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,110 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Cape Girardeau County, MO in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Location of Health Services Facilities

Health Service Type

Top 5 Health Facilities Servicing the Greatest Number of Addresses

Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4001
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4002
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4003
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4004
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4005

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.3% under 18 years, 24.7% between 18 and 34 years, 34.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.39%

Uninsured

52.3%

Employer Coverage

12.9%

Medicaid

13%

Medicare

13%

Non-Group

1.38%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Cape Girardeau County, MO grew by 3.76% from 7.12% to 7.39%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Cape Girardeau County, MO changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.44 in Cape Girardeau County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cape Girardeau County, MO.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 40.7% in Cape Girardeau County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cape Girardeau County, MO.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 9.83% in Cape Girardeau County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cape Girardeau County, MO.

Economy

The economy of Cape Girardeau County, MO employs 42.4k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Cape Girardeau County, MO were Health Care & Social Assistance (7,360 people), Retail Trade (5,061 people), and Educational Services (4,694 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($106,667), Wholesale Trade ($72,540), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,653).

Employment

Occupations

42.4k

2024 Value

± 1,648

0.977%

1 Year growth

± 5.44%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Cape Girardeau County, MO grew at a rate of 0.977%, from 42k employees to 42.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Cape Girardeau County, MO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,620 people), Sales & Related Occupations (4,416 people), and Management Occupations (3,981 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Cape Girardeau County, MO.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Missouri (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

42.4k

2024 Value

± 1,648

0.977%

1 Year growth

± 5.44%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Cape Girardeau County, MO grew at a rate of 0.977%, from 42k employees to 42.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Cape Girardeau County, MO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,360 people), Retail Trade (5,061 people), and Educational Services (4,694 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Cape Girardeau County, MO, though some of these residents may live in Cape Girardeau County, MO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,377

Median earning men ± $2,757

$33,659

Median earning women ± $2,164

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($74,808), Wholesale Trade ($73,327), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,188).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,214), Wholesale Trade ($49,333), and Construction ($45,114).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Y-Axis

2.17%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.94M people employed in Missouri. This represents a 2.17% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Missouri.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

144
Retail Trade
136
Other Services (except Public Administration)
126
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$582k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$216k
Manufacturing
$187k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Education

The student population of Cape Girardeau County, MO in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 3,972 male students and 6,021 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Cape Girardeau County, MO are White (1,860 and 82.4%), Black or African American (187 and 8.28%), Two or More Races (88 and 3.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (68 and 3.01%).

The largest universities in Cape Girardeau County, MO by number of degrees awarded are Southeast Missouri State University (2,475 and 90.5%), Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center (92 and 3.36%), and Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences (78 and 2.85%).

The most popular majors in Cape Girardeau County, MO are General Computer & Information Sciences (379 and 13.9%), General Business Administration & Management (192 and 7.02%), and Registered Nursing (125 and 4.57%).

The median tuition costs are $10,392 for private four year colleges, and $8,559 and $8,559 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Cape Girardeau County, MO, the percentage of applicants admitted was 73.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 9,993 (39.7% men and 60.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 9,993 students enrolled in Cape Girardeau County, MO, 39.7% men and 60.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,828 records, of which 62.8% were women and 37.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
145 degrees awarded
General Studies
116 degrees awarded
General Psychology
98 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Cape Girardeau County, MO was General Business Administration & Management with 145 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Cape Girardeau County, MO according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Southeast Missouri State University
2,475 degrees awarded
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
92 degrees awarded
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences
78 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southeast Missouri State University with 2,475 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 1,126 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Cape Girardeau County, MO, which is 0.7 times less than the 1,609 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,860 degrees mean that there were 9.95 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 187 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($10,392) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,344) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,971) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Cape Girardeau County, MO was $220,700 in 2024, which is 0.663 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $208,300 to $220,700, a 5.95% increase. The homeownership rate in Cape Girardeau County, MO is 66.8%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Cape Girardeau County, MO have an average commute time of 19.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Cape Girardeau County, MO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 13.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cape Girardeau County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.321%.

Housing

Property

$220,700

Median Property Value 2024

±$7,640

$21,666

Median Property Taxes

±$1,071

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Cape Girardeau County, MO the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Cape Girardeau County, MO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

66.8%

Homeownership

2024

66.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 66.8% of the housing units in Cape Girardeau County, MO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 66%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Cape Girardeau County, MO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$68,464

Median Household Income

± $3,198

32.5k

Number of Households

± 1,439

In 2024, the median household income of the 32.5k households in Cape Girardeau County, MO declined from $68,464 from the previous year's value of $68,912.

The following chart displays the households in Cape Girardeau County, MO distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Cape Girardeau County, MO is from Missouri.

0.45

2024 Wage GINI in Missouri

0.451

2023 Wage GINI in Missouri

In 2024, the income inequality in Missouri was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.34% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Missouri was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Missouri in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Missouri across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (80.7%)
Worked At Home (8.98%)
Carpooled (7.36%)

In 2024, 80.7% of workers in Cape Girardeau County, MO drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.98%) and those who carpooled to work (7.36%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Cape Girardeau County, MO have a shorter commute time (19.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.5% of the workforce in Cape Girardeau County, MO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Cape Girardeau County, MO compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Cape Girardeau County, MO distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Cape Girardeau County, MO have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 13.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cape Girardeau County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.321%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

13.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Cape Girardeau County, MO (11k out of 79k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Cape Girardeau County, MO is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 13.6% of the children was living in poverty in Cape Girardeau County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 362 in Cape Girardeau County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 91.2% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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