Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Metro Area

Cape Girardeau, MO-IL · Metro Area

98,169Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying), part of the Cape Girardeau-Sikeston, MO-IL combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $66,759
Median home value: $208,400
Land area: 1,432 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Cape Girardeau County, MO	Central	82,735	$68,464	$220,700
Bollinger County, MO	Outlying	10,559	$63,814	$179,800
Alexander County, IL	Outlying	4,875	$47,043	$59,800

Largest cities and towns

20 places in our city pages lie in this area.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Cape Girardeau, MO	City	40,344	$55,658
Jackson, MO	City	15,659	$77,105
Marble Hill, MO	City	1,758	$37,734
Cairo, IL	City	1,682	$41,912
Tamms, IL	Village	589	$50,046
Delta, MO	City	532	$45,625
Olive Branch, IL	CDP	499	—
Gordonville, MO	Village	473	$82,750
Thebes, IL	Village	353	$40,917
Oak Ridge, MO	Town	298	$71,458
East Cape Girardeau, IL	Village	283	$42,188
McClure, IL	Village	239	$75,385
Sedgewickville, MO	Village	201	$92,083
Dutchtown, MO	Village	187	$86,111
Allenville, MO	Village	127	$51,071
Old Appleton, MO	Town	109	$54,306
Whitewater, MO	Town	64	$49,038
Pocahontas, MO	Town	55	$106,875
Glen Allen, MO	Town	50	$43,125
Zalma, MO	CDP	50	$50,313

Also in the Cape Girardeau-Sikeston, MO-IL combined area

Sikeston, MO · micro · 49,835

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

14.2%

Unemployment

2.6%

College Educated

29.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$66,759

Mean Household Income

$86,168

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.1%

Female

50.9%

Population Split

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German24.0%

English9.9%

Irish8.5%

Scottish1.7%

Mexican1.6%

French1.5%

Italian1.4%

Polish0.7%

African0.5%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

2.2%Foreign Born

97.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized32.8%

Non-Citizen67.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later53.3%

Before 201046.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

44,070

Median Rent

$864/mo

Median Home Value

$208,400

Median Year Built

1981

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

25,502

College Enrollment

29.9%

High School

19.0%

College Educated

29.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.4 min

Drive Alone Rate

80.7%

Public Transit

0.2%

Work From Home

9.1%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.4%

18-34 Years

24.7%

35-64 Years

35.3%

65+ Years

18.6%

Population Composition

Under 1821.4%

18-3424.7%

35-6435.3%

65+18.6%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.8%

Single Parent

4.6%

Living Alone

31.2%

Avg Size

2.46

Household Types

Married Couples49.8%

Single Parent4.6%

Living Alone31.2%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$34,681

SNAP Usage

10.5%

Health Insurance

92.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k18.4%

$25k - $50k20.4%

$50k - $100k30.3%

$100k+30.9%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

10.2%

Retail Trade

12.2%

Education & Health Care

28.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.6%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

92.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

87.3%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

93.0%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

86.1

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

168.9

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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