Lake Charles, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Charles, Louisiana had a total population of 81,143, the 6th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $59,235, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lake Charles Quick Facts
How Lake Charles Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 81,143 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $56,864 | $59,235 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $204,000 | $214,300 | +5.0% |
How Lake Charles Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake Charles Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Calcasieu Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 20,775 | $61,760 | 16.0% | $182,900 |
| Moss Bluff | 12,482 | $92,036 | 8.9% | $252,900 |
| Prien | 7,119 | $87,292 | 6.3% | $278,000 |
| Westlake | 4,743 | $68,381 | 12.1% | $166,100 |
| Carlyss | 4,412 | $78,179 | 16.1% | $173,200 |
| Iowa | 3,200 | $59,779 | 15.8% | $249,200 |
| Vinton | 3,176 | $41,875 | 32.7% | $106,800 |
| DeQuincy | 2,931 | $44,281 | 16.5% | $124,500 |
| Hayes | 690 | $140,278 | 11.3% | $173,100 |
| Gillis | 667 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Lake Charles
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenner | 64,904 | $64,020 | $246,300 | 29.1% | 15.4% |
| Bossier City | 62,901 | $55,819 | $202,100 | 24.7% | 20.8% |
| Lafayette | 121,715 | $61,915 | $257,000 | 41.1% | 18.3% |
| Metairie | 139,729 | $73,042 | $327,500 | 41.2% | 12.5% |
| Alexandria | 44,060 | $47,113 | $183,700 | 25.3% | 27.0% |
Population Overview
Lake Charles is a mid-sized community located in Louisiana, within Calcasieu Parish. The total population is 81,143. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Charles is 36.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Charles is $59,235. This is 3% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $214,300. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Charles is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.7% vs 1.7%).
Education
29.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Charles, Louisiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lake Charles, Louisiana?
Lake Charles, Louisiana has a population of 81,143 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Charles, LA?
The median household income in Lake Charles is $59,235, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Charles, LA?
The poverty rate in Lake Charles is 23.3%. This means approximately 18,414 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Charles, Louisiana?
Lake Charles's population is 45.3% White, 42.4% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Charles, LA?
The median home value in Lake Charles is $214,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Lake Charles, Louisiana?
29.1% of adults (25+) in Lake Charles hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.