City · Louisiana
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles, city, in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Lake Charles had 82,676 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 84,872 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 81,143 (±50). GEOID 2241155.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
82,676
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 84,872 · ACS 2020-2024: 81,143 ±50
Median household income
$59,235
±$3,575 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $60,756
Median home value
$214,300
±$12,654 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $216,500
Median gross rent
$1,109
±$43 (90% margin)
Louisiana: $1,064
Where is Lake Charles and what county is it in?
Lake Charles is a city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. It covers 47.5 square miles of land, 1,788 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lake Charles is in the Lake Charles, LA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Lake Charles, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 82,676 people lived in Lake Charles on July 1, 2025, down 2.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Louisiana's (−0.9%). The 2020 Census counted 84,872 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 81,143 (±50).
| Measure | Lake Charles | Calcasieu Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 81,143 ±50 | 207,088 | +3,860 |
| Households | 32,077 ±984 | 77,957 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.46 ±0.08 | 2.62 | +0.18 |
| Housing units | 40,742 ±745 | 95,523 | +3,130 |
Lake Charles's population since 2000
From 71,757 in 2000 to 82,676 in 2025: up 15.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lake Charles as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lake Charles?
The median resident of Lake Charles is 36.6 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 16.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 45.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 42.4%. 5.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lake Charles | Calcasieu Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 ±1.3 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% ±1.4 pts | 24.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.9% ±0.9 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±1.3 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.7% ±0.9 pts | 5.4% | +2.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 45.3% ±2.3 pts | 64.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 42.4% ±2.5 pts | 23.3% | −5.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.7% ±0.4 pts | 1.5% | +0.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.6% ±0.9 pts | 3.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.5% ±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7% ±1.0 pts | 7.6% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5% ±1.5 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3% ±1.4 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5% ±1.2 pts | 89.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.1% ±2.0 pts | 24.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.9% ±1.5 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.7% ±2.1 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lake Charles earn?
Half of Lake Charles's 32,077 households earn less than $59,235 a year (±$3,575), against $67,564 in Calcasieu Parish and $60,756 in Louisiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $52,848 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,387 after inflation. 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lake Charles | Calcasieu Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,235 ±$3,575 | $67,564 | +$6,387 |
| Mean household income | $89,319 ±$6,834 | $93,518 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,860 ±$2,736 | $36,113 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 23.3% ±2.5 pts | 17.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 34.3% ±5.9 pts | 24.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.1% ±1.8 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.5% ±1.5 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.4% ±2.0 pts | 86.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lake Charles?
Owners occupy 60.9% of Lake Charles's occupied homes and renters 39.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $214,300 by its owner (±$12,654). The median renter pays $1,109 a month including utilities, and 49.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lake Charles | Calcasieu Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $214,300 ±$12,654 | $217,000 | +$22,681 |
| Median gross rent | $1,109 ±$43 | $1,109 | +$105 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.3% ±4.4 pts | 43.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,543 ±$96 | $1,596 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.9% ±2.5 pts | 72.8% | +8.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.1% ±2.5 pts | 27.2% | – |
| Housing units | 40,742 ±745 | 95,523 | +3,130 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.6% ±2.5 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.6% ±2.2 pts | 68.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.6% ±1.1 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.7% ±1.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.3% ±2.1 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.6% ±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.5% ±1.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Lake Charles building?
Builders took permits for 207 new housing units in Lake Charles in 2025 (195 in single-family houses), 2.5 per 1,000 residents against 3.1 across Louisiana.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lake Charles work and get to work?
80.2% of Lake Charles's workers drive alone and 5.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Lake Charles | Calcasieu Parish | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.5% ±2.2 pts | 61.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% ±1.5 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.2% ±2.1 pts | 80.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.7% ±1.9 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.4% ±0.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.0% ±1.2 pts | 5.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.0 min ±1.0 | 21.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Lake Charles?
23 census tracts lie mostly in Lake Charles, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $22,159 (Tract 2) to $116,364 (Tract 19.08).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 12.01Calcasieu Parish | 5,004 | $55,380 |
| Tract 11Calcasieu Parish | 4,766 | $31,708 |
| Tract 10Calcasieu Parish | 4,232 | $65,591 |
| Tract 9Calcasieu Parish | 4,160 | $54,130 |
| Tract 6.02Calcasieu Parish | 3,805 | $35,962 |
| Tract 5Calcasieu Parish | 3,637 | $56,332 |
| Tract 13.02Calcasieu Parish | 3,428 | $61,092 |
| Tract 7Calcasieu Parish | 3,467 | not published |
| Tract 19.05Calcasieu Parish | 4,021 | $73,182 |
| Tract 17Calcasieu Parish | 12,321 | $67,303 |
| Tract 6.01Calcasieu Parish | 3,197 | $54,259 |
| Tract 8Calcasieu Parish | 3,143 | $60,483 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Lake Charles) · Census block assignment files
How does Lake Charles compare with other places in Louisiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lake Charles is the 447th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 304 in Louisiana.
Lake Charles ranks 112th of 251 places in Louisiana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 304 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 73rd | 156 |
| Residents per square mile | 53rd | 263 |
| Median household income | 112th | 251 |
| Per capita income | 69th | 263 |
| Median home value | 81st | 247 |
| Median gross rent | 65th | 229 |
| Poverty rate | 103rd | 216 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 49th | 229 |
| Median age | 160th | 262 |
| Owner-occupied share | 173rd | 260 |
| Work from home | 71st | 87 |
| Travel time to work | 245th | 260 |
Lake Charles's figures with every place in Louisiana (CSV)
Every place in Louisiana, sortable · Compare Lake Charles with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Lake Charles?
3 of the 57 figures for Lake Charles on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lake Charles are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Lake Charles.