Along the Mississippi River about 115 miles south of St. Louis, the city of Cape Girardeau is home to around 40,000 people but with a culture all its own. There's plenty of outdoor recreation, lively entertainment and a historic downtown, setting apart the town from its eastern Missouri neighbors. “We are a small town, but we have all the amenities of a large city—music and theater—without the traffic or the people,” says Brenda Newbern, the executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Blue Diamond Sports Bar is a place to socialize with friends and play a game of pool or darts in Cape Girardeau.
Established in 1733, Cape Girardeau sits along the Mississippi River beginning as a trading post.
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Historic homes and modern subdivisions
The median sale price for a home in Cape Girardeau is $208,250, about half the national median. Homes downtown tend to be older than in other parts of the city, with Craftsman styles, bungalows and cottages lining the streets. “In the historic districts, you have traditional homes, but we also have apartments and new subdivisions with modern styles,” says Newburn. The city's five historic districts often require a level of preservation, and permissions must be granted before significant changes or renovations can be made. Major employers include St. Francis Medical Center, Mercy Hospital Southeast and Procter & Gamble, which operates a paper-products factory on a 1,300-acre site north of town.
The quaint craftsman style homes are common in downtown Cape Girardeau.
Bungalows and small cottages line many streets in Cape Girardeau.
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Threaded with trails and peppered with parks
“Our parks are beautiful, and the trail system is unbelievable,'' Newburn says. "The Shawnee Trail runs the length of the city.” Cape Girardeau is home to 25 parks, spanning over 600 acres and seven scenic trails, including a riverfront walk. “You can bike on it, you can skateboard on it, and there are terraces where you can just sit and watch the barges go by.” Other popular spots include Cape Girardeau County Park South and Trail of Tears State Park, the latter of which is just outside the city in neighboring Jackson. Golfers can book a tee time at Dalhousie Golf Club. Locals can also catch a show at the Show Me Center, Southeast Missouri State University's destination for sporting events and live entertainment. Downtown, the historic Rose Theater puts on plays and musicals.
Families and kids enjoy the playground at Cape Girardeau County Park South.
Trail of Tears State Park stands as a memorial to those Cherokee Native Americans who died on the Cherokee Trail of Tears.
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Dinners in the historic downtown and shopping at The West Park Mall
Though restaurants and shops can be found throughout the city, most are concentrated downtown and along Blues Highway. Downtown, in particular, is known for its restaurants and antique stores, which are clustered together in historic buildings. “The food— oh, my goodness,” says Newburn. “We have every restaurant you can think of in this small town. I think we have something like 77 restaurants— everything from chains to independent, and all types of food.” The West Park Mall, located on the west side of the city, is being renovated and expanded to include new shops.
The West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau offers name brand shopping and a cozy place out of the elements to socialize.
Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant is a popular place for dinner downtown.
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The Cape Girardeau School District
The Cape Girardeau School District serves the city. Scoring a B on Niche, the district maintains five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Blanchard Elementary School ranks particularly high, earning an A-minus from Niche. At Franklin Elementary, class sizes are relatively small, with an average student-teacher ratio of 8-to-1.
Southeast Missouri State University, a four-year public institution, serves about 7,000 undergraduate students.
Franklin Elementary School is located at 1550 Themis Street.
Cape Girardeau is a college town, home of SEMO, Southeast Missouri University.
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Travel in Cape Girardeau and beyond
Interstate 55, State Route 74 and State Route 177 run through the city, providing a direct route to St. Louis. Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority operates fixed-route bus service and paratransit transportation. Cape Girardeau Regional Airport provides daily flights to Chicago under the federal Essential Air Service program. The St. Louis Lambert International Airport is 130 miles north and offers a broader selection of airlines and destinations.
Climate and Environment
Cape Girardeau experiences a humid subtropical climate, with humid summers and mild winters. Stormwater pollution is a concern, as most of the city’s stormwater ends up in the Mississippi River, which is a major drinking source for the community and surrounding areas. Prevention efforts include Cape Girardeau’s Storm Drain Stenciling Program, which remind residents and business operators that storm drains lead to the river.
Barge traffic can be seen traveling the Mississippi River that serves as the water source for many towns in this areas including Cape Girardeau.
Mild winters in Cape Girardeau allow students a comfortable commute to classes.
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Crime
According to FBI data, the rates of reported violent crime and property crime in Cape Girardeau over the last five years trend higher than the Missouri and national averages.
Written By
Stephanie Davison
Photography Contributed By
Dana Dieckmann
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rhonda Overberg,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Cape Girardeau, MO sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Cape Girardeau, MO over the last 12 months is $655,000, up 111% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious and updated 4-bedroom north Cape home on approximately 1/3 acre -- located in a low-traffic, secluded neighborhood. With multiple living areas, a decked and fenced above-ground pool, and a heated workshop, this property offers features rarely found at this price point. From the front door, you’re welcomed into a foyer with limited views that immediately hint at how much room this home
What a showstopper. This one-of-a-kind, ultra-modern 5-bedroom, 3-bath custom home is located in the heart of Cape Girardeau, just minutes from hospitals and the university. Designed for entertaining, multigenerational living, or households of any size, the home offers exceptional space and thoughtful design throughout. The main level features a welcoming foyer and a dramatic two-story living
Beautifully maintained twelve-year-old brick and vinyl ranch featuring a desirable open-concept design. This home offers 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths with a spacious primary ensuite. The open floor plan is ideal for everyday living and entertaining. The walk-out lower level includes a large family room, great for hanging out, and perfect for gatherings. A very large John Deere room provides
Welcome to this incredible opportunity at 1330 N Sprigg St Apt. 8 in Cape Girardeau. Situated on a spacious ±1-acre lot, this property offers exceptional flexibility for both investors and homebuyers. The expansive lot provides ample potential for future development—whether adding another rental unit, creating a small complex, or simply enjoying the extra outdoor space as a private
Welcome to Elmwood Hills, a premier new development offering the perfect balance of peaceful country living with the convenience of being minutes from Cape Girardeau.This thoughtfully designed community features 7 divided lots. Whether youre looking to build your dream home with space to spread out, or invest in a growing area, Elmwood Hills provides the opportunity. Purchase as a whole
Welcome to comfort and convenience in a quiet, well-established neighborhood. This charming single-family ranch home offers a rare opportunity to settle in a desirable locale with easy access to amenities and commuter routes.The residence features three spacious bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a partially finished walk-out basement—ideal for entertaining, a home gym, or additional living
1.5-story vinyl-sided three-bedroom, one bath home with detached garage-workshop area.Minutes from Semo University and the amenities of town. This home could serve multiple purposes, such as a college rental for an investor or for parents looking for college housing, or a single-family residence that would make a great starter home for a first-time homebuyer.
Welcome to Elmwood Hills, a premier new development offering the perfect balance of peaceful country living with the convenience of being minutes from Cape Girardeau.This thoughtfully designed community features 7 divided lots. Whether youre looking to build your dream home with space to spread out, or invest in a growing area, Elmwood Hills provides the opportunity. Purchase as a whole
Welcome to Elmwood Hills, a premier new development offering the perfect balance of peaceful country living with the convenience of being minutes from Cape Girardeau.This thoughtfully designed community features 7 divided lots. Whether youre looking to build your dream home with space to spread out, or invest in a growing area, Elmwood Hills provides the opportunity. Purchase as a whole
Tract# 2 of this newly split acreage for residential development consists of a 4.33+/- acre urban timbered residential building lot, but with the country feeling of privacy & seclusion. Located with an entrance off W Cape Rock Rd, this exclusive upscale property has some limited deed restrictions to maintain its long-term upscale integrity. Just outside of the Cape Girardeau city limits, the
Welcome to Elmwood Hills, a premier new development offering the perfect balance of peaceful country living with the convenience of being minutes from Cape Girardeau.This thoughtfully designed community features 7 divided lots. Whether youre looking to build your dream home with space to spread out, or invest in a growing area, Elmwood Hills provides the opportunity. Purchase as a whole
Welcome home to this completely renovated 4-bedroom, 3-1/2 bath residence located in a quiet Cape Girardeau neighborhood. With 2,619 sq ft of finished living space, this home blends modern updates with a highly functional layout designed for everyday comfort. The upper level features all four bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with a private attached bathroom, creating a true retreat.
Corner lot zoned C-2 Hwy. Commercial district, suitable for numerous uses. Close to shopping, hospital and mall.An additional 1.18+/-acre available for purchase: Contact Specialist Tina McMahon for more information or your own private tour.
Welcome to Elmwood Hills, a premier new development offering the perfect balance of peaceful country living with the convenience of being minutes from Cape Girardeau.This thoughtfully designed community features 7 divided lots. Whether youre looking to build your dream home with space to spread out, or invest in a growing area, Elmwood Hills provides the opportunity. Purchase as a whole
Corner lot zoned C-2 Hwy. Commercial district, suitable for numerous uses. Close to shopping, hospital and mall.An additional 1.18+/-acre available for purchase: Contact Specialist Tina McMahon for more information or your own private tour.
The District at Cape near SEMO University is a unique, inclusive community offering the best of the best living in Cape Girardeau. Whether you're a college student, retiree, single professional, or family of four, you'll find the perfect fit with one of our one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans. At The District at Cape, you'll enjoy carefree living at its finest in your new
Check out our fully-furnished apartments in Cape Girardeau. Cape Trails offers spacious two- and four-bedroom apartments complete with high-speed internet and in-unit laundry. Our pet-friendly community has the amenities that make student life easy like a study lounge, a computer center with printing, planned social events, and a resident shuttle. Not to mention, our prime location is situated
These luxury townhomes offer a seamless blend of comfort and style. Designed with a fully equipped kitchen which include a stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator. Each unit comes with a washer and dryer for added convenience. Residents enjoy access to a 24-hour fitness center, a saltwater pool, and a clubhouse, making this townhome an ideal choice for anyone seeking a practical yet
Elevate your living experience at Hawthorne Place! We are thrilled to announce the availability of our new 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath homes for lease. This home boasts modern designs and high-end finishes, including quartz countertops and backsplash, a spacious walk-in pantry, premium Kitchen-aid appliances, and elegant wide-plank LVP flooring. Located in the vibrant heart of Cape Girardeau and adjacent
Welcome home to Hawks Landing Apartments in Cape Girardeau, MO! Our vibrant community offers multiple floor plan styles, with options for both furnished and unfurnished homes. We can’t wait to show you all of the exciting amenities and features we offer! Indulge in late-night study cookies in our study room after a workout in our fitness center. You can also relax and find some time to unwind in
Property Id: 1660348Welcome to Themis Apartments! Nestled in a peaceful wooded setting, features two bedroom style apartments, and provides a parking lot. We are conveniently located just 5-10 mins west of Downtown Cape Girardeau. Our central location provides you with access to a wide array of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Enjoy privacy/security of smart locks on each
COMING SOON 2 Bed / 1 Bath Home in Prime Location!This charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is in a desirable neighborhood near SEMO, Mercy Hospital and Capaha Park just minutes from everything Cape has to offer.Features include a spacious living room, dedicated pantry, and laundry hookups. Whether you're a working professional, small family, or student, this home delivers comfort and
Welcome to 132 South Benton St, Unit A, Cape Girardeau, MO 63071!Enjoy the perfect mix of comfort and style in this inviting 2-bedroom, 1-bath. Priced at $900 per month with a flexible security deposit, this home offers great value and convenience.Pet-Friendly: Small dogs and cats are welcome!Smoke-Free: A clean and healthy living environment for everyone. Apply online
Available soon!Located outside the city limits of Cape Gir., Mo. A little country, close to town. 2 BR, 1 bath with LR/kitchen in 1 open space. Stove, microwave, fridge, garbage disposal, new granite counter tops, washer/dryer hook ups for a small, stacked set is in this cute brick house.Water, sewer, trash is included. Lawn care is required by tenant.We
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