Lake Charles, LA

Census Place

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2022 Population

82,430

1.22% 1-year decline

2022 Median Age

35.7

0.281% 1-year increase

2022 Poverty Rate

22.6%

8.39% 1-year increase

2022 Median Household Income

$54,761

9.71% 1-year growth

2022 Median Property Value

$191,200

12.9% 1-year growth

2022 Employed Population

36,480

2.45% 1-year decline

About

In 2022, Lake Charles, LA had a population of 82.4k people with a median age of 35.7 and a median household income of $54,761. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Lake Charles, LA declined from 83,444 to 82,430, a −1.22% decrease and its median household income grew from $49,913 to $54,761, a 9.71% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Lake Charles, LA are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (45.8%), White (Non-Hispanic) (44.3%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.53%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.16%).

None of the households in Lake Charles, LA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.2% of the residents in Lake Charles, LA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Lake Charles, LA are SOWELA Technical Community College (1,988 degrees awarded in 2022) and McNeese State University (1,303 degrees).

In 2022, the median property value in Lake Charles, LA was $191,200, and the homeownership rate was 57.6%.

Most people in Lake Charles, LA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18 minutes. The average car ownership in Lake Charles, LA was 2 cars per household.

United States

Population & Diversity

Lake Charles, LA is home to a population of 82.4k people, from which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2022, 4.22% of Lake Charles, LA residents were born outside of the country (3.48k people).

In 2022, there were 1.03 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (37.7k people) in Lake Charles, LA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 36.5k White (Non-Hispanic) and 2.48k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.2%

2022 Citizenship

96.8%

2021 Citizenship

As of 2022, 97.2% of Lake Charles, LA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.5%. In 2021, the percentage of US citizens in Lake Charles, LA was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lake Charles, LA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lake Charles, LA

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
37.7k ± 1.72k
White (Non-Hispanic)
36.5k ± 1.68k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
2.48k ± 687

3.9%

Hispanic Population

3.22k people

3.9% of the people in Lake Charles, LA are hispanic (3.22k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Lake Charles, LA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Louisiana.

Most Common Origin

Honduras
36,279 ± 4,658 people
Mexico
23,092 ± 3,722 people
Vietnam
18,064 ± 3,293 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Louisiana was Honduras, the natal country of 36,279 Louisiana residents, followed by Mexico with 23,092 and Vietnam with 18,064.

Foreign-Born Population

4.22%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

3.48k people

4.65%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

3.88k people

As of 2022, 4.22% of Lake Charles, LA residents (3.48k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2021, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lake Charles, LA was 4.65%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lake Charles, LA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,630 ± 444
Vietnam
1,417 ± 332
Gulf War (1990s)
968 ± 326

Lake Charles, LA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.15 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Lake Charles, LA employs 36.5k people. The largest industries in Lake Charles, LA are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,124 people), Retail Trade (4,711 people), and Educational Services (3,448 people), and the highest paying industries are Manufacturing ($91,708), Utilities ($68,975), and Finance & Insurance ($66,229).

Males in Louisiana have an average income that is 1.52 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,789. The income inequality in Louisiana (measured using the Gini index) is 0.466, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

36.5k

2022 Value

± 1,914

−2.45%

1 Year decline

± 7.64%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Lake Charles, LA declined at a rate of −2.45%, from 37.4k employees to 36.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lake Charles, LA, are Sales & Related Occupations (4,379 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,733 people), and Management Occupations (3,220 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lake Charles, LA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in the United States (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

36.5k

2022 Value

± 1,914

−2.45%

1 Year decline

± 7.64%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Lake Charles, LA declined at a rate of −2.45%, from 37.4k employees to 36.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lake Charles, LA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,124 people), Retail Trade (4,711 people), and Educational Services (3,448 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lake Charles, LA, though some of these residents may live in Lake Charles, LA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$48,440

Median earning men ± $3,598

$26,968

Median earning women ± $2,492

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2022 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($114,038), Manufacturing ($105,323), and Public Administration ($72,796).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2022 are Public Administration ($47,708), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,402), and Information ($35,739).

Civics

are the senators currently representing the state of the United States. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming is currently represented by 435 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Senator Elections

US Senators from the United States

Senator from N/AN/A

N/AN/A
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are the senators currently representing the United States.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in the United States over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have changed over time starting in 2008.

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Education

In 2022, universities in Lake Charles, LA awarded 3,341 degrees. The student population of Lake Charles, LA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 3,909 male students and 5,723 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Lake Charles, LA are White (2,339 and 72.5%), followed by Black or African American (576 and 17.8%), Two or More Races (120 and 3.72%), and Hispanic or Latino (108 and 3.35%).

The largest universities in Lake Charles, LA by number of degrees awarded are SOWELA Technical Community College (1,988 and 59.5%) and McNeese State University (1,303 and 39%).

The most popular majors in Lake Charles, LA are General Studies (381 and 11.4%), Other Industrial Production Technology (315 and 9.43%), and Instrumentation Technology (254 and 7.6%).

The median tuition cost in Lake Charles, LA for a public four year colleges is $5,147 for in-state students and $7,203 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Lake Charles, LA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 71.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 41.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 9,632 (40.6% men and 59.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 9,632 students enrolled in Lake Charles, LA, 40.6% men and 59.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,315 records, of which 57.9% were women and 42.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
90 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
134 degrees awarded
General Studies
106 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Lake Charles, LA was General Business Administration & Management with 90 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Lake Charles, LA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

SOWELA Technical Community College
1,988 degrees awarded
McNeese State University
1,303 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was SOWELA Technical Community College with 1,988 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 1,560 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lake Charles, LA, which is 0.876 times less than the 1,781 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,339 degrees mean that there were 4.06 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 576 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($5,147) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,293) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 2-year ($1,300) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Louisiana.

Measure

In 2022, 1.03% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.811% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Louisiana.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (1.2M), Some college (811k), and Secondary Education (604k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Lake Charles, LA was $191,200 in 2022, which is 0.678 times smaller than the national average of $281,900. Between 2021 and 2022 the median property value increased from $169,300 to $191,200, a 12.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Lake Charles, LA is 57.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.8%.

People in Lake Charles, LA have an average commute time of 18 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lake Charles, LA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Lake Charles, LA is $54,761. In 2022, the place with the highest median household income in Lake Charles, LA was Census Tract 19.01 with a value of $104,883, followed by Census Tract 9 and Census Tract 5, with respective values of $72,000 and $70,756.

Housing

Property

$191,200

Median Property Value 2022

±$12,234

$18,543

Median Property Taxes

±$1,192

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lake Charles, LA the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lake Charles, LA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

57.6%

Homeownership

2022

68.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2022

In 2022, 57.6% of the housing units in Lake Charles, LA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 58%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lake Charles, LA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 19.01
Census Tract 9
Census Tract 5

In 2022, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Lake Charles, LA was Census Tract 19.01 with a value of $104,883, followed by Census Tract 9 and Census Tract 5, with respective values of $72,000 and $70,756.

The following map shows all of the places in Lake Charles, LA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$54,761

Median Household Income

± $4,025

32.2k

Number of Households

± 1,702

In 2022, the median household income of the 32.2k households in Lake Charles, LA grew to $54,761 from the previous year's value of $49,913.

The following chart displays the households in Lake Charles, LA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lake Charles, LA is from Louisiana.

0.466

2022 Wage GINI in Louisiana

0.467

2021 Wage GINI in Louisiana

In 2022, the income inequality in Louisiana was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.313% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Louisiana was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Louisiana in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Louisiana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2022

Drove Alone (81.2%)
Carpooled (9.95%)
Worked At Home (4.15%)

In 2022, 81.2% of workers in Lake Charles, LA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.95%) and those who worked at home (4.15%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lake Charles, LA have a shorter commute time (18 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.83% of the workforce in Lake Charles, LA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lake Charles, LA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lake Charles, LA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lake Charles, LA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

22.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lake Charles, LA (18.1k out of 80k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Males < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lake Charles, LA is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

91.5% of the population of Lake Charles, LA has health coverage, with 36.8% on employee plans, 27.5% on Medicaid, 11.4% on Medicare, 14.3% on non-group plans, and 1.53% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Calcasieu Parish, LA see 1210 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.04% decrease from the previous year (1248 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1669 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 373 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Calcasieu Parish, LA.

1,210 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Calcasieu Parish, LA

Primary care physicians in Calcasieu Parish, LA see an average of 1,210 patients per year. This represents a 3.04% decrease from the previous year (1,248 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Calcasieu Parish, LA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2022, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.1% under 18 years, 25.1% between 18 and 34 years, 34.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.8% were men and 52.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.48%

Uninsured

36.8%

Employer Coverage

27.5%

Medicaid

11.4%

Medicare

14.3%

Non-Group

1.53%

Military or VA

Between 2021 and 2022, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lake Charles, LA grew by 4.32% from 8.13% to 8.48%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lake Charles, LA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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