Violent
Property
Total
Cape Girardeau, MO Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 40,753
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Cape Girardeau, Missouri Safe?
Cape Girardeau has a safety score of 44/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,079.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Cape Girardeau ranks #56 out of 70 cities in Missouri and #2427 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 18th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 82% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Cape Girardeau is aggravated assault, at 532.5 per 100K — 1.6x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Cape Girardeau's total crime rate decreased by 3.8%, with violent crime declining 1.7%.
Cape Girardeau Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 254 | 623.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 3 | 7.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 21 | 51.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 13 | 31.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 217 | 532.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,001 | 2,456.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 121 | 296.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 787 | 1,931.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 93 | 228.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Cape Girardeau vs Missouri Average
How does Cape Girardeau's crime rate compare to the Missouri state average?
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Missouri Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 623.3 | 679.8 | -8.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.3 | 2,941.8 | -16.5% |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 12.9 | -43.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,079.5 | 3,621.5 | -15.0% |
Cape Girardeau Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40,753 | 3,079.5 | 623.3 | 2,456.3 |
| 2023 | 40,691 | 3,199.7 | 634.1 | 2,565.7 |
| 2022 | 40,067 | 3,059.9 | 604.0 | 2,455.9 |
| 2021 | 41,957 | 3,460.7 | 636.4 | 2,824.3 |
| 2020 | 40,845 | 3,838.9 | 891.2 | 2,947.7 |
| 2019 | 40,077 | 4,154.5 | 581.4 | 3,573.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau, Missouri safe?
Cape Girardeau has a safety score of 44/100. With a total crime rate of 3,079.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Cape Girardeau is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?
According to FBI data for 2024, Cape Girardeau has a violent crime rate of 623.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,456.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Cape Girardeau compare to the national average?
Cape Girardeau's total crime rate of 3,079.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 40,753.
What types of crime are most common in Cape Girardeau?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Cape Girardeau include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Cape Girardeau safe to visit?
Like any city, Cape Girardeau has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 44/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.