Cape Girardeau, MO

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

40,344

US Senator

Josh Hawley

Republican Party

US Senator

Eric Schmitt

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

34.5

0.877% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

20.8%

0.398% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$55,658

1.44% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$196,300

5.48% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

20,630

1.82% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Cape Girardeau, MO reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.3% of the residents in Cape Girardeau, MO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Cape Girardeau, MO are Southeast Missouri State University (2,475 degrees awarded in 2024), Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center (92 degrees), and Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences (78 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Cape Girardeau, MO was $196,300, and the homeownership rate was 54%.

Most people in Cape Girardeau, MO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Cape Girardeau, MO was 2 cars per household.

United States Missouri Cape Girardeau County, MO Scott County, MO Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Sikeston, MO Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties PUMA, MO

Population & Diversity

Cape Girardeau, MO is home to a population of 40.3k people, from which 97.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.89% of Cape Girardeau, MO residents were born outside of the country (1.57k people).

In 2024, there were 5.71 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (30.4k people) in Cape Girardeau, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.31k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.43k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.3%

2024 Citizenship

97.9%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.3% of Cape Girardeau, 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, MO was 97.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Cape Girardeau, MO

White (Non-Hispanic)
30.4k ± 580
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.31k ± 527
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
1.43k ± 408

3.72%

Hispanic Population

1.5k people

3.72% of the people in Cape Girardeau, MO are hispanic (1.5k people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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

3.89%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.57k people

3.78%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.52k people

As of 2024, 3.89% of Cape Girardeau, MO residents (1.57k 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, MO was 3.78%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
839 ± 204
Gulf War (2001-)
514 ± 182
Gulf War (1990s)
221 ± 105

Cape Girardeau, MO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.63 times greater than any other conflict.

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

Health

90.8% of the population of Cape Girardeau, MO has health coverage, with 47.6% on employee plans, 15.6% on Medicaid, 12.8% on Medicare, 13.6% on non-group plans, and 1.12% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Missouri see 1,421 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,421 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1596 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 382 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.3% were men and 52.7% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20% under 18 years, 31.6% between 18 and 34 years, 30.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.3% were men and 52.7% were women.

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

Uninsured People

9.19%

Uninsured

47.6%

Employer Coverage

15.6%

Medicaid

12.8%

Medicare

13.6%

Non-Group

1.12%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Cape Girardeau, MO grew by 3.97% from 8.84% to 9.19%.

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

Economy

The economy of Cape Girardeau, MO employs 20.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Cape Girardeau, MO were Health Care & Social Assistance (3,711 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,766 people), and Educational Services (2,701 people), and the highest paying industries were Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($80,065), Information ($63,984), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($58,421).

Employment

Occupations

20.6k

2024 Value

± 1,233

1.82%

1 Year growth

± 8.23%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Cape Girardeau, MO grew at a rate of 1.82%, from 20.3k employees to 20.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Cape Girardeau, MO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,284 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,231 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,157 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Cape Girardeau, 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

20.6k

2024 Value

± 1,233

1.82%

1 Year growth

± 8.23%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Cape Girardeau, MO grew at a rate of 1.82%, from 20.3k employees to 20.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Cape Girardeau, MO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,711 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,766 people), and Educational Services (2,701 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Cape Girardeau, MO, though some of these residents may live in Cape Girardeau, MO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,606

Median earning men ± $1,982

$29,908

Median earning women ± $2,049

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,144), Wholesale Trade ($53,273), and Information ($52,063).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($91,625), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,693), and Wholesale Trade ($48,333).

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.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Missouri went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.1%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.797%).

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing the state of Missouri. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Missouri is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Cape Girardeau, MO. Showing the available data for Missouri.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.5%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (40.1%)
Democratic Party
Chase Oliver (0.797%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Missouri went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.1%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.797%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Missouri for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Missouri

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Josh Hawley

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Eric Schmitt

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing Missouri.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Missouri over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Cape Girardeau, MO awarded 2,735 degrees. The student population of Cape Girardeau, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, MO was $196,300 in 2024, which is 0.59 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $186,100 to $196,300, a 5.48% increase. The homeownership rate in Cape Girardeau, MO is 54%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Cape Girardeau, MO have an average commute time of 15.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Cape Girardeau, MO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$196,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$11,289

$8,843

Median Property Taxes

±$737

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, 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, MO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

54%

Homeownership

2024

58.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 54% of the housing units in Cape Girardeau, MO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 52.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Cape Girardeau, 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.

$55,658

Median Household Income

± $2,313

16.4k

Number of Households

± 1,046

In 2024, the median household income of the 16.4k households in Cape Girardeau, MO grew to $55,658 from the previous year's value of $54,870.

The following chart displays the households in Cape Girardeau, 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, 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 (79.9%)
Worked At Home (7.86%)
Carpooled (7.61%)

In 2024, 79.9% of workers in Cape Girardeau, MO drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (7.86%) and those who carpooled to work (7.61%).

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

15.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Cape Girardeau, MO have a shorter commute time (15.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.1% of the workforce in Cape Girardeau, MO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Cape Girardeau, 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, 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, MO have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

20.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Cape Girardeau, MO (7.71k out of 37k 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, 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.