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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lake Charles

Louisiana · 84,872 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 $44,785. Population has grown 18% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $155,700. The poverty rate of 21.4% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 46%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
84,872
+18%since 2000
from 71,757 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,788 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 1,512 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.2
+3%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
69K73K78K82K86K1990201020202024Lake Charles
202481K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,785
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,774 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,683
+71%since 2000
from $17,922 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.9%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade7.6%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing2.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$155,700
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$830
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.1%
−5.6 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
47.9% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+51%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic41.4%(35,143)
Black45.9%(38,943)
Hispanic / Latino5.6%(4,772)
Asian2.6%(2,230)
Other2.5%(2,121)
Diversity Score74.7%(63,434)
Diversity Score
75
+14%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.0%
+12.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.8 min
+66%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 9.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.6%
−31.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
52.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.2%
−74.0 ptssince 2013
from 82.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+106%
Home value$252,900+62%
Population12,482−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CHARLES VS
Sulphur
Income$61,760+38%
Home value$182,900+17%
Population20,492−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CHARLES VS
Orange
Income$62,891+40%
Home value$164,900+6%
Population19,419−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CHARLES VS
Jennings
Income$48,558+8%
Home value$136,700−12%
Population9,235−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

Lake Charles, Louisiana has about 84,872 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake Charles, Louisiana earns about $44,785 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 $155,700, and the typical rent is about $830 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

About 26.3% 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 21.4% 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 14,292 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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

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