RANK #180 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 22 MO · POP 82,735
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
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.
Cape Girardeau County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.4% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Cape Girardeau County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| 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 1001 counties.
Cape Girardeau County ranks #180 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 82/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $68,464 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Cape Girardeau County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $220,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $881/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cape Girardeau County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.2%). Home values shifted +4.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.65% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cape Girardeau County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.