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
Cape Girardeau covers 29.3 sq mi of land at 1369 people per square mile.
About Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape Girardeau is a city in Missouri with a population of 40,047. It ranks #17 among cities in Missouri by population. The median age is 34.2, younger than the national median. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The median household income in Cape Girardeau is $54,870, below the US median of $74,580. 9.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $186,100, with monthly rent averaging $855. The homeownership rate of 52.2% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Cape Girardeau reflects 36.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.1% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 15.8 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).
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.