Cape Girardeau, MO Demographics

A map of Cape Girardeau's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	30,356	29,166	75.2%	73.8%
Black	5,313	5,682	13.2%	14.4%
Multiracial	1,774	2,007	4.4%	5.1%
Hispanic	1,502	1,466	3.7%	3.7%
Asian	1,057	1,015	2.6%	2.6%
Native American/Other	342	204	0.8%	0.5%

Cape Girardeau, Missouri has an estimated population of 40,344, a slight increase from the 39,540 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.2% White, 13.2% Black, 4.4% Multiracial, 3.7% Hispanic, 2.6% Asian, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Cape Girardeau, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Cape Girardeau has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Missouri overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Cape Girardeau, that probability was 43.1% in 2020 and 41.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Cape Girardeau is ranked the 17th most populous place in Missouri, out of 1,082 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Cape Girardeau was ranked the 17th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Cape Girardeau's White Population

30,356 residents of Cape Girardeau, or 75.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Cape Girardeau is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Cape Girardeau ranks 954th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cape Girardeau's White population has grown by an estimated 4.1%. White residents' share of Cape Girardeau's population has increased from 73.8% to 75.2%.

Cape Girardeau is less White than neighboring East Cape Girardeau (89.4% White), Scott City (88.2% White), Dutchtown (100% White), Gordonville (94.5% White), and Jackson (87.7% White).

Cape Girardeau's Black Population

5,313 residents of Cape Girardeau, or 13.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Cape Girardeau is slightly higher than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Cape Girardeau ranks 88th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cape Girardeau's Black population has declined by an estimated 6.5%. Black residents' share of Cape Girardeau's population has decreased from 14.4% to 13.2%.

Cape Girardeau is more Black than neighboring East Cape Girardeau (1.4% Black), Scott City (0.2% Black), Dutchtown (0% Black), Gordonville (0% Black), and Jackson (2.6% Black).

Cape Girardeau's Asian Population

1,057 residents of Cape Girardeau, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Cape Girardeau is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Cape Girardeau ranks 77th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cape Girardeau's Asian population has grown by an estimated 4.1%. Asian residents' share of Cape Girardeau's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Cape Girardeau is more Asian than neighboring Scott City (0.1% Asian), Dutchtown (0% Asian), Gordonville (0% Asian), and Jackson (1.3% Asian). Cape Girardeau is less Asian than neighboring East Cape Girardeau (3.2% Asian).

Cape Girardeau's Hispanic Population

1,502 residents of Cape Girardeau, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Cape Girardeau is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Cape Girardeau ranks 279th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cape Girardeau's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Cape Girardeau's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.7%.

Cape Girardeau is more Hispanic than neighboring East Cape Girardeau (0% Hispanic), Scott City (2.5% Hispanic), Dutchtown (0% Hispanic), and Gordonville (3% Hispanic). Cape Girardeau is less Hispanic than neighboring Jackson (4% Hispanic).

Cape Girardeau's Native American/Other Population

342 residents of Cape Girardeau, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Cape Girardeau is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Cape Girardeau ranks 595th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cape Girardeau's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 67.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Cape Girardeau's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Cape Girardeau is more Native American/Other than neighboring East Cape Girardeau (0% Native American/Other), Scott City (0% Native American/Other), Dutchtown (0% Native American/Other), Gordonville (0% Native American/Other), and Jackson (0.7% Native American/Other).

Cape Girardeau's Multiracial Population

1,774 residents of Cape Girardeau, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Cape Girardeau is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Cape Girardeau ranks 464th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cape Girardeau's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 11.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Cape Girardeau's population has decreased from 5.1% to 4.4%.

Cape Girardeau is more Multiracial than neighboring Dutchtown (0% Multiracial), Gordonville (2.5% Multiracial), and Jackson (3.8% Multiracial). Cape Girardeau is less Multiracial than neighboring East Cape Girardeau (6% Multiracial), and Scott City (8.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.