Cape Girardeau, Missouri Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Cape Girardeau, Missouri is 40,047 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 17th-largest city in Missouri. The median household income is $54,870, the median home value is $186,100, and the median age is 34.2.
The population has grown 7.2% since 2010 (38,083 → 40,818).
40,047
Population
1369
People / sq mi
$54,870
Median Income
$186,100
Median Home Value
Get Cape Girardeau's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Cape Girardeau covers 29.3 sq mi of land at 1369 people per square mile.
About Cape Girardeau, MO
Among US cities, Cape Girardeau stands out first on household income: a median of $54,870, below the US median of $78,538. Cape Girardeau is a city in Missouri with a population of 40,047. It ranks #17 among cities in Missouri by population.
The typical household earns $54,870, below the US median of $78,538. About 9.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Property is affordable here, the median home worth $186,100, with typical rent around $855.
Roughly 36.6% of adults have a bachelor’s, near the national 35.0%. Just 7.1% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
Cape Girardeau city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Cape Girardeau city had a population of 38,083 in 2010 and 40,818 in 2024, a 7.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 40,818 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.50%.
40,818
Population (2024)
38,083
Population (2010)
40,818
Peak (2024)
0.50%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 38,083 |
| 2011 | 38,398 |
| 2012 | 38,592 |
| 2013 | 38,822 |
| 2014 | 38,996 |
| 2015 | 39,166 |
| 2016 | 39,275 |
| 2017 | 39,176 |
| 2018 | 39,773 |
| 2019 | 40,559 |
| 2020 | 39,786 |
| 2021 | 40,012 |
| 2022 | 40,427 |
| 2023 | 40,579 |
| 2024 | 40,818 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 76.5% |
| Black or African American | 15.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$54,870
Median Household Income
$33,295
Per Capita Income
9.9%
Poverty Rate
2.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$186,100
Median Home Value
$855
Median Rent
52.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
91.6%
High School+
36.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.2%
Drive Alone
79.9%
Public Transit
7.1%
Work From Home
15.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
30.6%
Foreign Born
94.6%
Non-English at Home
6.3%
Veterans
15.5%
With Disability
91.2%
Health Insurance
92.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 31.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 15.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 7.9% |
| Manufacturing | 7.3% |
| Information | 6.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.0% |
| Retail Trade | 3.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.1% |
| Construction | 2.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Missouri
Largest counties in Missouri
Part of Missouri
Metro areas in Missouri
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a population of 40,047 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 17th-largest city in Missouri.
The median household income in Cape Girardeau, Missouri is $54,870, with 9.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Cape Girardeau, Missouri is $186,100, with median monthly rent at $855 and a homeownership rate of 52.2%.
The median age in Cape Girardeau, Missouri is 34.2 years. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The population has grown 7.2% since 2010 (38,083 → 40,818).
Where to stay in Cape Girardeau
Visiting or relocating to Cape Girardeau, MO? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from Missouri
Population 508,233
Population 293,109
Population 169,432
Population 127,200
Population 121,944
Full rankings of Missouri cities by population
Statewide data for Missouri
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Missouri
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.