Cape Girardeau County
MO · Pop. 82,180 · Mixed County
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri covers 579 square miles with a population of 82,180 and a density of 141.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, hay, corn. The median home price is $208,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.67%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 196-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F and average winter lows of 25.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Saint Francis Medical Center is 8.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 196-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Saint Francis Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Cape Girardeau County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $208k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 196 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.6"
- Broadband
- 97.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Saint Francis Medical Center, 8.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cape Girardeau County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cape Girardeau County?
- Cape Girardeau County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 196-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F, and average winter lows of 25.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $208,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Saint Francis Medical Center is 8.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Cape Girardeau County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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