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CITY · 2010 ACS

Lake Charles

Louisiana · 71,993 residents · 47.469 sq mi
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The short version

Lake Charles has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,001. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $113,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 35.0
US median: 37.2
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
71,993
Unchangedsince 2000
from 71,757 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,517 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1,512 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
35.0
−1%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
69K73K78K82K86K1990201020202024Lake Charles
202481K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,001
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,774 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,855
+28%since 2000
from $17,922 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
20.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
20.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.505
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$113,300
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$675
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
31.9%
−25.7 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
43.6% rent
Vacancy rate
15.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.1
+37%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Charles on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic49.5%(35,540)
Black46.6%(33,414)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(1,007)
Asian1.1%(766)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.5%(46,999)
2010
White, non-Hispanic45.6%(32,793)
Black47.4%(34,120)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(2,069)
Asian1.6%(1,184)
Other2.4%(1,734)
Diversity Score70.6%(50,854)
Diversity Score
71
+8%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
80.7%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.8 min
+58%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
10.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
16.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
30.6%
−34.4 ptssince 2009
from 65.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.1%
−35.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lake Charles

Pine Hills
Pop 80,105
Deerfield Beach
Pop 89,339
Largo
Pop 80,690
Wilmington
Pop 73,512
Places similar to Lake Charles
Head to head

Compare Lake Charles to nearby cities

LAKE CHARLES VS
Moss Bluff
Income$92,036+156%
Home value$252,900+123%
Population12,482−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CHARLES VS
Sulphur
Income$61,760+72%
Home value$182,900+61%
Population20,492−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CHARLES VS
Orange
Income$62,891+75%
Home value$164,900+46%
Population19,419−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CHARLES VS
Jennings
Income$48,558+35%
Home value$136,700+21%
Population9,235−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

Lake Charles, Louisiana has about 71,993 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

The typical household in Lake Charles, Louisiana earns about $36,001 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake Charles, Louisiana expensive?

In Lake Charles, Louisiana, the median home is worth about $113,300, and the typical rent is about $675 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

About 23.2% of adults age 25 and over in Lake Charles, Louisiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

About 20.9% of people in Lake Charles, Louisiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake Charles, Louisiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake Charles, Louisiana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,413 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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