Lake Charles, LA — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Calcasieu Parish County · Louisiana
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Lake Charles based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
81,679
2023 ACS
Median Income
$56,864
2023
Median Home Value
$204,000
2023
Median Rent
$1,090
2023
Median Age
36.2
Unemployment
5.5%
Cost of Living Index
96.4
100 = national avg
Lake Charles is a city in Calcasieu Parish County, Louisiana, with a population of 81,679 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Lake Charles is one of the communities in Louisiana.
The median household income in Lake Charles is $56,864, and the median home value is $204,000. The cost of living index is 96.4 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,090 per month. The unemployment rate is 5.5%, and the median age is 36.2 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
81,679
Male
40,036
49.0%
Female
41,643
51.0%
Median Age
36.2
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
19.6%
High School or Higher
39.7%
Foreign Born
4.7%
Veterans
6.1%
Married
35.1%
Avg Household Size
2.5
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.586
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
47.4%
Foreign Born
4.7%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
4.7%
3,855 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
95.3%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
76,395
English Only
93.0%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
2,520 speakers
Limited English
2.0%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
98.0%
Limited English Proficiency
2.0%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
4,947
6.1% of population
Disability Rate
26.6%
1,318 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$40,041
Unemployment Rate
10.5%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
4,298
86.9%
Female Veterans
649
13.1%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$40,041
Non-Veteran Income
$29,769
Difference
$10,272
34.5% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
1,318
Without Disability
3,629
Disability Rate
26.6%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
30,308
#1 Ancestry
French
7.6% (6,212)
#2 Ancestry
English
6.1% (4,973)
#3 Ancestry
American
5.1% (4,162)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
31,845
Family Households
18,782
59.0%
Married Couples
12,513
39.3%
Non-Family Households
13,063
41.0%
Single Mother Households
4,990
15.7%
Single Father Households
1,279
4.0%
Living Alone
10,002
31.4%
Children Under 18
Total Children
14,694
In Married Couple
8,381
57.0%
With Single Mother
5,145
35.0%
With Single Father
1,168
7.9%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$78,275
Married Couple Income
$104,992
Single Mother Income
$35,924
Single Father Income
$51,777
Avg Family Size
2.5
Avg Non-Family Size
2.5
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
1,935
Grandparents Responsible
1,204
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$56,864
-22% vs national
Per Capita Income
$35,847
-4% vs national
Poverty Rate
23.2%
+71% vs national
Gini Index
0.5316
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
5.5%
+6% vs national
SNAP Recipients
16.3%
of households
How Lake Charles Compares
Lake Charles vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Lake Charles is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Lake Charles, LA has a median household income of $56,864, making it the 18,013th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher median household income than 36% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles, LA has a per capita income of $35,847, making it the 11,495th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher per capita income than 59% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles, LA has a poverty rate of 23.2%, making it the 5,466th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher poverty rate than 83% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles, LA has a unemployment rate of 5.5%, making it the 10,343rd highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher unemployment rate than 67% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Lake Charles. The median household income here is $56,864.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
-18% vs LA avg
Labor Force
39,030
Employed
36,779
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
19.6%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
39.7%
of adults 25+
Median Age
36.2
Work from Home
4.8%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Lake Charles, LA metro area
Highest-Paying Job
General and Operations Managers
Top Median Wage
$100.7K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
96.4
100 = national avg
-3.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$42,399
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$100,216
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$928
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,217
per month
The median household income in Lake Charles, LA is $56,864, which is 22.3% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $35,847. The poverty rate of 23.2% is higher than the LA state average of 22.7%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.5316, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 5.5%, compared to the state average of 6.7%. The labor force is 39,030. 19.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 81.4% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 96.4, which is 3.6% below the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 105.9. A single adult needs to earn approximately $42,399 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$239,900
Median List Price
$255,000
Price Per Sq Ft
$126
Days on Market
102
Active Inventory
387
Months of Supply
5.8
Balanced market
Zillow Home Value
$195,343
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$1,124
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
0.0%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
9.8%
Sale-to-List Ratio
94.1%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
67
New Listings
71
Pending Sales
92
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$126
Median List $/SF
$136
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Lake Charles, LA? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Lake Charles, LA metro area, home prices have risen 76.8% over the past 20 years. The 10-year growth rate is 31.2%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 14.4%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 0.1%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Lake Charles, LA housing market rather than Lake Charles alone.
Metro area: Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Lake Charles is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Lake Charles, LA has a median home value of $204,000, making it the 12,021st highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher median home value than 57% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Lake Charles, LA has a median rent of $1,090, making it the 8,350th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher median rent than 63% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Lake Charles, LA has a price per square foot of $126, making it the 14,937th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher price per square foot than 28% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Lake Charles, LA has a rent burden of 23.0%, making it the 5,164th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Lake Charles has a higher rent burden than 76% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$204,000
Median Rent
$1,090
Total Housing Units
40,146
Vacancy Rate
20.7%
Owner Occupied
61.1%
Renter Occupied
38.9%
Median Property Tax
$692
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$862
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$692
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.34%
of home value
Median Home Value
$204,000
Estimated Mean Tax
$1,601
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($692) by the median home value ($204,000). In Lake Charles, LA, this works out to an effective rate of 0.34%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Lake Charles, LA is $239,900 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 102 days on the market. 0.0% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 5.8 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $126. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,124/month. About 61.1% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1979. There are 40,146 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $692. The effective tax rate is 0.34%, below the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
6.13
per 1,000 residents
+136% vs national
Property Crime Rate
24.70
per 1,000 residents
+44% vs national
Total Crimes
2,404
2024
Violent Clearance
39%
cases solved
Property Clearance
9%
cases solved
YoY Change
-3.7%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2023
How Lake Charles Compares
Source: FBI (2024)Lake Charles vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 50,000 - 100,000 residents. Lake Charles is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)Lake Charles police solve 69% of murder cases but only 5% of rape cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 13 | 0.17 | 69.2% |
| Rape | Violent | 41 | 0.53 | 4.9% |
| Robbery | Violent | 50 | 0.64 | 20.0% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 374 | 4.80 | 44.1% |
| Burglary | Property | 478 | 6.13 | 16.7% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 1,288 | 16.52 | 6.1% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 160 | 2.05 | 12.5% |
Lake Charles, LA reported 478 violent crimes and 1,926 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 6.13 per 1,000 residents is 135.8% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 39% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 1,288 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 42.8% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 478 | 1,926 | 6.13 | 24.70 |
| 2023 | 486 | 2,245 | 6.36 | 29.39 |
| 2022 | 487 | 2,406 | 6.32 | 31.22 |
| 2021 | 449 | 2,184 | 5.68 | 27.63 |
| 2020 | 410 | 2,528 | 5.18 | 31.97 |
| 2019 | 413 | 2,907 | 5.25 | 36.92 |
| 2018 | 575 | 3,777 | 7.39 | 48.52 |
| 2017 | 639 | 3,524 | 8.23 | 45.38 |
| 2016 | 655 | 3,153 | 8.52 | 41.02 |
| 2015 | 561 | 3,057 | 7.42 | 40.46 |
School Shootings
Source: The Washington PostTotal Incidents
1
Total Killed
0
Total Injured
1
| Date | School | Killed | Injured | Type | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2017 | Moss Bluff Elementary School | 0 | 1 | accidental | .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun |
Data from The Washington Post, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
95.7
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
94.7
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
61.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
24.0
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
42
Public Assistance
$1.5B
Individual Assistance
$210.3M
Most Common Type
Hurricane
23 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Francine → | Hurricane | Sep 2024 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Nicholas → | Coastal Storm | Sep 2021 | — | — |
| Hurricane Ida → | Hurricane | Aug 2021 | $232K | $500 |
| Tropical Storm Ida → | Hurricane | Aug 2021 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding → | Flood | Jun 2021 | $3.2M | $3.8M |
| Severe Winter Storms → | Severe Ice Storm | Mar 2021 | $2.5M | $320K |
| Severe Winter Storm → | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 2021 | — | — |
| Hurricane Zeta → | Hurricane | Jan 2021 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Zeta → | Hurricane | Oct 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Delta → | Hurricane | Oct 2020 | $7.4M | $9.3M |
| Hurricane Delta → | Hurricane | Oct 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Sally → | Hurricane | Sep 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Laura → | Hurricane | Aug 2020 | $1.4B | $75.5M |
| Tropical Storms Laura and Marco → | Hurricane | Aug 2020 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Cristobal → | Coastal Storm | Jun 2020 | — | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $239K | $2.0M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Barry → | Coastal Storm | Jul 2019 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Harvey → | Hurricane | Oct 2017 | $2.2M | — |
Showing 20 of 46 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
10,377
Total Claims Paid
$323,745,321
Avg Claim Payout
$31,198
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
62
Federal Funding
$32,059,426
Properties Protected
206
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.57
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 16 | $4,089,917 |
| 205.8: Retrofitting Public Structures - Wind | 11 | $669,273 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 8 | $2,218,612 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine; 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 6 | $14,160,646 |
| 207.1: Mitigation Reconstruction - PILOT | 2 | $926,680 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Lake Charles has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are lightning, hurricane, tornado. The area has had 42 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (23 declarations). 10,377 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,496,810,619 in public assistance recovery funding. $210,257,439 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 62 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
45.6%
9.5pp above the national average
Depression Rate
26.1%
2.6pp above the national average
Diabetes Rate
16.2%
4.3pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
9.6%
1.0pp below the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
37.8%
Arthritis
29.5%
Cancer (excl. skin)
6.8%
Teeth Lost (65+)
18.5%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
19.7%
14+ days in past month
Depression
26.1%
Loneliness
37.7%
Lack of Support
30.3%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
40.7%
Mobility
18.6%
Cognitive
19.5%
Hearing
7.5%
Vision
8.0%
Self-Care
6.0%
Independent Living
11.5%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Lake Charles has an obesity rate of 45.6%, which is 9.5pp above the national average. The depression rate is 26.1%, 2.6pp above the national average. About 9.6% of adults lack health insurance. 82.0% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
3
Avg CMS Rating
4.0 / 5
Nearest Hospital
1.9 mi
Christus Ochsner St Patrick Ho...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christus Ochsner St Patrick Hospital | 1.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Lake Charles Memorial Hospital | 1.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Stonebridge Behavioral Hospital | 1.9 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
| Christus Ochsner Lake Area Hospital | 6.1 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Oceans Behavioral Hospital Of Lake Charles | 6.1 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
17
Pop. Served
120,200
Violations (5yr)
15
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| CITY OF LAKE CHARLES WATER SYSTEM | 79,500 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW DISTRICT NO 1 | 20,837 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW DISTRICT 8 | 6,834 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW DISTRICT NO 5 | 5,388 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW 12 WARD 3 | 2,130 | 0 |
| GULF STREAM MANOR WATER SYSTEM | 2,130 | 13 |
| QUAIL RIDGE ESTATES WATER SYSTEM | 1,119 | 0 |
| MOSSVILLE WW DISTRICT NO 2 | 660 | 0 |
| GARDEN HEIGHTS WATER SYSTEM | 465 | 0 |
| OAK MEADOWS SUBDIVISION WATER SYSTEM | 318 | 0 |
| OAK PINE MOBILE HOME PARK WATER SYSTEM | 240 | 0 |
| C K B TRAILER PARK WATER SYSTEM | 150 | 1 |
| CLEARVIEW MOBILE HOME PARK | 141 | 1 |
| EAST PARK SUBDIVISION WATER SYSTEM | 102 | 0 |
| CORBINA TRAILER PARK WATER SYSTEM | 69 | 0 |
| K & P MH & RV PARK WATER SYSTEM | 66 | 0 |
| COUNTRY LIVING TRAILER PARK WATER SYSTEM | 51 | 0 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
4
Total CO₂e
466.4K MT
Top Emitter
Reynolds Metals Company, LLC
258.6K MT CO₂e
Total CO₂e vs Similar Cities (50,000 - 100,000)
| Facility | Sector | CO₂e (MT) |
|---|---|---|
Reynolds Metals Company, LLC Alcoa Corp | Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems | 258,636 |
CALCASIEU REFINING COMPANY Transworld Oil Usa Inc | Refineries | 177,038 |
Gillis Gas Plant Targa Resources Corp | Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems | 30,706 |
Magnolia LNG, LLC Lng Management Services Llc | Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems | 0 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons CO₂e/year.
There are 17 water systems serving the area. 15 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 4 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 466.4K metric tons of CO₂e.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
81.4%
+3% vs national
Public Transit
0.1%
-89% vs national
Work From Home
4.8%
-49% vs national
Carpool
9.4%
Walk / Bike
2.9%
combined
How Lake Charles's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
8
2023
6-Year Avg
10
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
2
Nighttime
3
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Lake Charles, LA covers travel times and transportation modes. 81.4% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 4.8% work from home, which is below the LA state average of 5.4%. 9.4% of workers carpool. 2.7% walk to work. In 2023, there were 8 traffic fatalities from 7 fatal crashes. 2 were pedestrians.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
83.6%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
64.6%
of households
No Internet
13.4%
of households
Total Households
31,845
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
92.1%
of households
Smartphone
86.1%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
71.6%
of households
Tablet
58.5%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
11.7¢
per kWh
-36% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Commercial Rate
10.5¢
per kWh
-29% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Industrial Rate
5.6¢
per kWh
-49% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$141
residential
-3% vs 50,000 - 100,000 avg
31% below the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in Louisiana averages 11.7¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $141. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Lake Charles vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (50,000 - 100,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
17
Population Served
120,200
Violations (5yr)
15
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF LAKE CHARLES WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 79,500 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW DISTRICT NO 1 | Community | Ground water | 20,837 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW DISTRICT 8 | Community | Ground water | 6,834 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW DISTRICT NO 5 | Community | Ground water | 5,388 | 0 |
| CALCASIEU PARISH WW 12 WARD 3 | Community | Ground water | 2,130 | 0 |
| GULF STREAM MANOR WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 2,130 | 13 |
| QUAIL RIDGE ESTATES WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 1,119 | 0 |
| MOSSVILLE WW DISTRICT NO 2 | Community | Purchased ground water | 660 | 0 |
| GARDEN HEIGHTS WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 465 | 0 |
| OAK MEADOWS SUBDIVISION WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 318 | 0 |
| OAK PINE MOBILE HOME PARK WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 240 | 0 |
| C K B TRAILER PARK WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 150 | 1 |
| CLEARVIEW MOBILE HOME PARK | Community | Ground water | 141 | 1 |
| EAST PARK SUBDIVISION WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 102 | 0 |
| CORBINA TRAILER PARK WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 69 | 0 |
| K & P MH & RV PARK WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 66 | 0 |
| COUNTRY LIVING TRAILER PARK WATER SYSTEM | Community | Ground water | 51 | 0 |
83.6% of households in Lake Charles have broadband internet access. 64.6% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 16.5% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 13.4% of households have no internet access. 13.3% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 17 water systems, providing water to 120,200 people. A total of 15 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Lake Charles is located in Calcasieu Parish, LA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Lake Charles.
Election Overview
Source: Calcasieu Parish (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
23,918
29.5%
GOP Votes
56,064
69.0%
Total Votes
81,201
Margin
R+39.6%
Shift from 2020
R+4.4pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23,918 | 56,064 | 81,201 | 29.5% | 69.0% | R+39.6 |
| 2020 | 25,982 | 55,066 | 82,663 | 31.4% | 66.6% | R+35.2 |
| 2016 | 26,293 | 54,182 | 83,773 | 31.4% | 64.7% | R+33.3 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Calcasieu Parish recorded 81,201 total votes. Republicans won the county with 69.0% of the vote compared to 29.5% for Democrats, a margin of R+39.6%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+4.4pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Calcasieu Parish has shifted 6.3 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
506
Total Assets
$1.1B
Total Income
$1.1B
Per 10K Residents
61.9
nonprofits
+22.5% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
51
Median Assets
$275K
Oldest Active
1937
ruling year
Newest Org
2026
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $903.6M of $1.1B total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000
Largest Nonprofits in Lake Charles
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFLake Charles, LA has 506 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $1.1B. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 66 organizations. 51 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 61.9 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1937.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
602
Total Approved
$191.2M
Jobs Supported
3,942
Per 10K Residents
73.7
SBA loans
-31.2% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
89
Top Lender
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
132 loans
Top Industry
Accommodation & Food Services
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
572
Total Amount
$164.8M
Avg Loan
$288,123
Median Loan
$92,763
SBA Guaranteed
$123.3M(75%)
Jobs Supported
3,366
Loans
30
Total Amount
$26.4M
Avg Loan
$881,200
Median Loan
$444,500
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
83
14% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$67.8M
35% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$816,324
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 50,000 - 100,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Satguru Investments Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Park Capital Acq Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| White Dove Investments Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Shankara Llc | 1 | $4.2M |
| Ardoin Holding Group Llc | 5 | $4.1M |
| Jppin Llc | 1 | $3.7M |
| Lcs Hotels Inc. | 1 | $3.6M |
| Gill Bright Animal Hospital Inc | 2 | $3.5M |
| Prien Lake Charles Llc | 1 | $3.5M |
| Aspire 2b Hospitality Group, Llc | 2 | $3.4M |
Lake Charles, LA has received 602 SBA loans totaling $191.2M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 572 loans (95% of the total), supporting 3,366 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 30 loans totaling $26.4M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in Lake Charles is JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association with 132 loans. That works out to 73.7 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
6
Total Population
95,674
Avg Median Income
-$222,180,617
Avg Home Value
-$222,097,655
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70601 | 31,843 | $49,545 | $164,300 | $938 | 16.1 |
| 70605 | 40,715 | $88,337 | $293,800 | $1,348 | 43.0 |
| 70609 | 412 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0 |
| 70615 | 13,521 | $43,333 | $128,500 | $1,095 | 45.9 |
| 70629 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0 |
| 70669 | 9,183 | $68,416 | $160,800 | $1,026 | 29.2 |
Lake Charles, LA has 6 ZIP codes with a combined population of 95,674. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$222,180,617. The average median home value is -$222,097,655. The average median monthly rent is -$222,221,487.
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