Lake Charles, Louisiana
City in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana · ZIP 70601, 70605, 70607
- Calcasieu Parish
- Census data · ACS 2019-2023
- 25 public schools
- 81,157 (2024 estimate)Population
- 31,845Households
- $56,864Median household income
- $204,000Median home value
- 25Public schools
- 6ZIP codes
About Lake Charles
This page shows only what has been published about Lake Charles: Census facts with their sources first, then its businesses, jobs, events, people in public roles, housing and questions as they are added. Nothing here is written by the town government.
Town intelligenceOfficial sources, refreshed yearly
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 71,757 |
| 2010 | 71,993 |
| 2020 | 84,872 |
As counted at each census, within the boundaries the area had then; the current estimate is in the glance card.
Sources: Census 2000 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 22, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2010 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 22, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2020 Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171): total population, place level, state 22, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Median household income $56,864 · Share of households by income, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table S1901.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year subject table S1901 (household income) 2019–2023, place level, state 22, retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Owner occupied
- 19,444 units
- Renter occupied
- 12,401 units
- Vacancy rate
- 20.7%
Occupied housing units by tenure and the share of all units vacant, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table DP04.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 22, retrieved November 14, 2026.
| Measure | Lake Charles | Calcasieu Parish | Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 208,668 | 4,621,025 |
| Median household income | $56,864 | $67,849 | $60,023 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 37.2 | 37.8 |
| Median home value | $204,000 | $208,500 | $208,700 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 29.4% | 24.7% | 26.6% |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.7% | 3.3% | 4.7% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.1% | 72.2% | 67.3% |
| Mean commute to work | 17.9 minutes | 21.7 minutes | 25.8 minutes |
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 22, retrieved November 14, 2026.
CommunityRules and moderation
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Events in Lake CharlesAll events
No upcoming event is listed in Lake Charles yet. Members and businesses add events from the Events page; each is screened before it shows.
Schools
| School | Type | Grades | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. A. Nelson Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Barbe Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Brentwood Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| College Oaks Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Combre-Fondel Elementary School | Public | K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Dolby Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Fairview Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Henry Heights Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| John J. Johnson II Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–2 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Lake Charles Charter Academy | Charter | Pre-K–8 | Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation Inc. |
| Oak Park Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Pearl Watson Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Prien Lake Elementary School | Public | Pre-K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Ralph F. Wilson Elementary School | Public | 3–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy | Charter | Pre-K–8 | Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy |
| T. H. Watkins Elementary School | Public | K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School | Public | K–5 | Calcasieu Parish |
| F. K. White Middle School | Public | 6–8 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Oak Park Middle School | Public | 6–8 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Ray D. Molo Middle Magnet School | Public | 6–8 | Calcasieu Parish |
| S. J. Welsh Middle School | Public | 6–8 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Alfred M. Barbe High School | Public | 9–12 | Calcasieu Parish |
| LaGrange High School | Public | 9–12 | Calcasieu Parish |
| Lake Charles College Prep | Charter | 9–12 | Lake Charles College Prep |
| Washington/Marion Magnet High School | Public | 9–12 | Calcasieu Parish |
Open public schools in the NCES directory for 2023–2024, placed by their listed location; private schools are not in the source. Enrollment and ratings are not shown.
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data, public school directory 2023–2024, retrieved November 14, 2026; NCES EDGE public school geocodes 2024–2025, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Frequently asked about Lake CharlesPromoted from questions people asked
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