Louisiana Gazetteer
Also See Lake Charles, LA: ZIP Codes & Maps
The City of Lake Charles is the 6th largest city in Louisiana with a population of 81,143 as of 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Lake Charles ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density and Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Louisiana. See peer rankings below.
The primary coordinate point for Lake Charles is located at latitude 30.2266 and longitude -93.2174 in Calcasieu Parish. The formal boundaries for the City of Lake Charles encompass a land area of 42.14 sq. miles and a water area of 2.8 sq. miles. Calcasieu Parish is in the Central time zone (GMT -6).
The City of Lake Charles has a C1 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that does not serve as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.
The City of Lake Charles is located within Parish Governing Authority District 3, a minor civil division (MCD) of Calcasieu Parish.
Source: 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
POPULATION | |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 81,143 (100%) |
| Population Density | 1,709 per sq mi |
| Diversity Index1 | 61 |
INCOME | |
| Median Household Income | $59,235 |
| Per Capita Income | $35,860 |
| Median Home Value | $214,300 |
HOUSING | |
|---|---|
| Total HU (Housing Units) | 40,742 (100%) |
| Owner Occupied HU | 19,532 (47.9%) |
| Renter Occupied HU | 12,545 (30.8%) |
| Vacant Housing Units | 8,665 (21.3%) |
HOUSEHOLDS | |
| Total Households | 32,077 |
| Average Household Size | 2.46 |
| Family Households | 18,634 (58.1%) |
The table below compares Lake Charles to the other 489 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Louisiana by rank and percentile using 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.
| Variable Description | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | # 6 | 99th |
| Population Density | # 62 | 88th |
| Median Household Income | # 192 | 61st |
| Per Capita Income | # 105 | 79th |
| Diversity Index | # 57 | 89th |
Additional comparisons and rankings can be made with a VERY EASY TO USE Louisiana Census Data Comparison Tool.
Also See: Nearby Hotels | Driving Directions
