Lake Charles, LA
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Lake Charles, Louisiana Summary

Life in Lake Charles research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Lake Charles over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Lake Charles:

  • The population in Lake Charles is 81,679.

  • The median home value in Lake Charles is $202,582.

  • The median income in Lake Charles is $56,864.

  • The cost of living in Lake Charles is 90 which is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Lake Charles is $1,090.

  • The unemployment rate in Lake Charles is 5.5%.

  • The poverty rate in Lake Charles is 23.2%.

  • The average high in Lake Charles is 77.3° and the average low is 58.6°.

Lake Charles SnackAbility

5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
7
Affordability
6
Diversity
9
Safety
4
Amenities
9
Education
7
Commute
9

Lake Charles, LA Crime Report

Crime in Lake Charles summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Lake Charles. Key points include:

  • There were 2,404 total crimes in Lake Charles in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Lake Charles is 3,082.8 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Lake Charles is 613.0 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Lake Charles is 2,469.8 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Lake Charles is 45.47% above the national average.

2,404
Total Crimes
45.47%
Above National Average

Crime In Lake Charles Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Lake Charles
/ 100k People
Louisiana
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 2,404 3,082.8 2,816.2 2,119.2
Violent Crime 478 613.0 519.8 359.0
Murder 13 16.7 10.8 5.0
Robbery 50 64.1 39.4 61.0
Aggravated Assault 374 479.6 436.0 256.0
Property Crime 1,926 2,469.8 2,296.4 1,760.0
Burglary 478 613.0 405.4 229.0
Larceny 1,288 1,651.7 1,636.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 160 205.2 254.8 259.0

Lake Charles, LA Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Lake Charles summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Lake Charles. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Louisiana. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Lake Charles is 90 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Lake Charles is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median home value in Lake Charles is $202,582.

  • The median income in Lake Charles is $56,864.

90
Lake Charles's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Lake Charles Comparison Table

Living Expense Lake Charles Louisiana National Average
Overall 90 90 100
Services 95 94 100
Groceries 96 93 100
Health 101 100 100
Housing 87 80 100
Transportation 108 94 100
Utilities 70 83 100

Lake Charles, LA Weather

  • The average high in Lake Charles is 77.3° and the average low is 58.6°.

  • There are 73.9 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 60.7 inches of precipitation each year with 0.0 inches of snow.

StatLake Charles
Average Annual High77.3
Average Annual Low58.6
Annual Precipitation Days73.9
Average Annual Precipitation60.7
Average Annual Snowfall0.0
77.3°
Average High
73.9
Days of Rain

Lake Charles, LA Photos

Lc Collage
Source: Wikipedia User CTtcg | CC BY-SA 4.0
Lauberge Du Lac Casino
Source: Wikipedia User CTtcg | CC BY-SA 4.0
Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Source: Wikipedia User CTtcg | CC BY-SA 4.0
Shearman Fine Arts Centerc Mcneese State University
Source: Wikipedia User Gkarg | CC BY-SA 3.0
Calcasieu Parish Public Library
Source: Wikipedia User Charles Talen | CC BY-SA 4.0
Old City Hall Lc
Source: Wikipedia User CTtcg | CC BY-SA 4.0
Mardi Gras Lake Charles
Source: Wikipedia User CreoleKing | CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Charles Mardi Gras Museum
Source: Wikipedia User Team at Carnaval.com Stud | CC BY 2.0
Boardwalk At Lake Charlesc Louisiana
Source: Wikipedia

Rankings for Lake Charles in Louisiana

Locations Around Lake Charles

Map Of Lake Charles, LA

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1

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2

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3

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4

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6

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7

Prien, LA
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8

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9

Orange, TX
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10

Vidor, TX
Population 9,738

Lake Charles Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Lake Charles

The current population in Lake Charles is 81,679. The population has increased 14.7% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 81,679 -0.9%
2022 82,430 -1.2%
2021 83,444 7.2%
2020 77,832 0.7%
2019 77,283 1.3%
2018 76,267 1.4%
2017 75,194 0.2%
2016 75,044 1.2%
2015 74,190 0.9%
2014 73,503 0.9%
2013 72,826 0.9%
2012 72,204 0.8%
2011 71,630 0.6%
2010 71,224 -

Race / Ethnicity in Lake Charles

White
46.5% (37,962)
African American
42.8% (34,960)
American Indian
0.2% (142)
Asian
2.5% (2,022)
Hawaiian
0.0% (0)
Other
0.5% (400)
Two Or More
2.9% (2,338)
Hispanic
4.7% (3,855)

Lake Charles is:

  • 46.5% White with 37,962 White residents.

  • 42.8% African American with 34,960 African American residents.

  • 0.2% American Indian with 142 American Indian residents.

  • 2.5% Asian with 2,022 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.5% Other with 400 Other residents.

  • 2.9% Two Or More with 2,338 Two Or More residents.

  • 4.7% Hispanic with 3,855 Hispanic residents.

Race Lake Charles LA USA
White 46.5% 56.2% 58.2%
African American 42.8% 30.8% 12.0%
American Indian 0.2% 0.4% 0.5%
Asian 2.5% 1.7% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%
Two Or More 2.9% 3.3% 3.9%
Hispanic 4.7% 6.9% 19.0%

Gender in Lake Charles

Female
51.0% (41,643)
Male
49.0% (40,036)
  • Lake Charles is 51.0% female with 41,643 female residents.

  • Lake Charles is 49.0% male with 40,036 male residents.

Gender Lake Charles LA USA
Female 51.0% 51.0% 50.5%
Male 49.0% 49.0% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Lake Charles for adults over 25

  • 4.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed < 9th grade.

  • 7.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed 9-12th grade.

  • 30.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed high school / ged.

  • 21.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed some college.

  • 9.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed associate's degree.

  • 18.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed bachelor's degree.

  • 7.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Lake Charles completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
4.0% (3,267)
9-12th Grade
7.0% (5,717)
High School / GED
30.0% (24,503)
Some College
21.0% (17,152)
Associate's Degree
9.0% (7,351)
Bachelor's Degree
18.0% (14,702)
Master's Degree
7.0% (5,717)
Professional Degree
2.0% (1,633)
Doctorate Degree
2.0% (1,633)
Education Lake Charles LA USA
< 9th Grade 4.0% 3.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 7.0% 9.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 30.0% 33.0% 26.0%
Some College 21.0% 21.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 9.0% 7.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 18.0% 17.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 7.0% 7.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • 6.8% of households in Lake Charles earn Less than $10,000.

  • 5.8% of households in Lake Charles earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 11.1% of households in Lake Charles earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 9.4% of households in Lake Charles earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 12.2% of households in Lake Charles earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 16.1% of households in Lake Charles earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 10.2% of households in Lake Charles earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 14.9% of households in Lake Charles earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 5.6% of households in Lake Charles earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 7.9% of households in Lake Charles earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
6.8% (559,403)
$10,000 to $14,999
5.8% (472,453)
$15,000 to $24,999
11.1% (909,510)
$25,000 to $34,999
9.4% (764,081)
$35,000 to $49,999
12.2% (995,691)
$50,000 to $74,999
16.1% (1,316,302)
$75,000 to $99,999
10.2% (834,103)
$100,000 to $149,999
14.9% (1,219,862)
$150,000 to $199,999
5.6% (455,268)
$200,000 or more
7.9% (641,223)
Income Lake Charles LA USA
Less than $10,000 6.8% 7.3% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 5.8% 5.9% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 11.1% 9.6% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.4% 8.6% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 12.2% 11.8% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 16.1% 15.9% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 10.2% 11.6% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 14.9% 14.8% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.6% 7.3% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 7.9% 7.4% 12.6%

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