RANK #155 / 996 · POP 81,703 · MO
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, is often recognized for its position along the Mississippi River and as home to Southeast Missouri State University. The city of Cape Girardeau, the county's largest, is approximately 100 miles southeast of St. Louis, offering a regional hub feel without a lengthy commute to a major metropolis. The county seat, Jackson, provides a smaller community atmosphere. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with parks like Cape County Park and Trail of Tears State Park offering trails, fishing, and views of the Mississippi River.
Life in Cape Girardeau County blends small-town living with regional amenities. The area attracts families and professionals, with public schools in the Cape Girardeau School District generally rated above average. The economy is driven by sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Recent economic developments indicate investment in manufacturing and technology, with local initiatives supporting business expansion and startups.
Contracting economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Delta Bobcat Solar Project (also referred to as Cape Girardeau Solar PV Park and Lutesville Solar Project)
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$297M | Planned |
|
LUTESVILLE Battery Project
N/A
|
$250M | Planned |
|
SEMO Industrial Park Infrastructure
SEMO REDI
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Strip Mall and Restaurants (behind Melaina's Playground)
Mid America Hotels
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cape Girardeau County has a Boom Town Index score of 84/100, ranking #155 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $65,070, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Cape Girardeau County is $194,200 with median rent at $854/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3351, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed +4.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.12% of Cape Girardeau County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.