Comparison of Cape Girardeau with county, state

Cape Girardeans were better educated than their fellow Missourians, but they made a lot less money on average between 2005 and 2009, according to the latest census information released last week.

The American Community Survey, a broad survey of 3 million American households, includes demographic data on everything from age and race to household income and housing. While not part of the official U.S. census, due out this week, information from the survey is used to help determine how more than $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed.

Cape Girardeau's population grew to an estimated 37,000 residents over the five-year period, making up more than half of Cape Girardeau County's tally of an estimated 73,957 people.

Here's a closer look at the changing face of the Cape Girardeau.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Cape Girardeau residents were an estimated 85 percent white, 11 percent black, 2 percent Asian, 2 percent Hispanic, and 2 percent reported two or more races. Missouri noted similar demographics. An estimated 84 percent of the state's 5.9 million residents were white, 11 percent black, 1 percent Asian, 3 percent Hispanic, and 2 percent reported two or more races.

An estimated 2 percent of the people living in Cape Girardeau were foreign-born.

Families

Families made up 58 percent of the 15,000 households in Cape Girardeau. The figure includes both married-couple families (40 percent) and other families (19 percent).

Income

Median household income in Cape Girardeau was $38,213 over the surveyed period, with 27 percent of the households receiving Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14,606. Median household income in Cape Girardeau County was $43,639, and $46,005 in Missouri.

Education

From 2005 to 2009, 85 percent of people 25 years and older in Cape Girardeau had at least graduated from high school and 30 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. An estimated 15 percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school. In Missouri, 86 percent had graduated from high school, with 25 percent earning a bachelor's degree or higher, similar to Cape Girardeau County figures.

Industry

For the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Cape Girardeau were educational services, health care and social assistance, 29 percent; arts, entertainment and recreation, and accommodation and food services, 14 percent. Retail made up 13 percent of the city's industries; manufacturing, 10 percent; and construction 5 percent.

Commuting

The average Cape Girardeau commute time was 15.2 minutes, compared to the state average of 23.1 minutes. An estimated 80 percent of workers in Cape Girardeau drove to work alone over the surveyed period, 11 percent carpooled, less than 0.5 percent took public transportation and 5 percent used other means. The remaining 3 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 15.2 minutes to get to work.

HOUSING COSTS

The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged homeowners was $992, nonmortgaged owners $318, and renters $572. In Cape Girardeau County the median monthly housing cost for homeowners was $1,037, $303 for nonmortgaged owners and $566 for renters. That compares with Missouri's median housing costs of $1,169 for mortgaged home owners, and $650 for renters.