Lake Charles, LA Metro Area

Lake Charles, LA · Metro Area

244,027Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying), part of the Lake Charles-DeRidder, LA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $66,700
Median home value: $207,800
Land area: 3,000 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Calcasieu Parish, LA	Central	207,088	$67,564	$217,000
Jefferson Davis Parish, LA	Outlying	31,924	$57,341	$150,800
Cameron Parish, LA	Outlying	5,015	$75,278	$202,500

Largest cities and towns

21 places in our city pages lie in this area.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Lake Charles, LA	City	81,143	$59,235
Sulphur, LA	City	20,775	$61,760
Moss Bluff, LA	CDP	12,482	$92,036
Jennings, LA	City	9,553	$48,558
Prien, LA	CDP	7,119	$87,292
Westlake, LA	City	4,743	$68,381
Carlyss, LA	CDP	4,412	$78,179
Welsh, LA	Town	3,313	$78,185
Iowa, LA	Town	3,200	$59,779
Vinton, LA	Town	3,176	$41,875
DeQuincy, LA	City	2,931	$44,281
Lake Arthur, LA	Town	2,585	$53,920
Hackberry, LA	CDP	899	$105,263
Elton, LA	Town	862	$37,575
Hayes, LA	CDP	690	$140,278
Gillis, LA	CDP	667	—
Roanoke, LA	CDP	482	—
Starks, LA	CDP	314	$16,088
Lacassine, LA	CDP	218	—
Fenton, LA	Village	207	$22,438
Cameron, LA	CDP	169	$54,125

Also in the Lake Charles-DeRidder, LA combined area

DeRidder, LA · micro · 36,676

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

16.8%

Unemployment

5.3%

College Educated

23.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$66,700

Mean Household Income

$91,196

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.1%

Female

50.9%

Population Split

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

French12.0%

English7.6%

German6.3%

Irish6.3%

Italian2.3%

Mexican2.1%

Scottish1.1%

African0.4%

Polish0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

3.2%Foreign Born

96.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized39.9%

Non-Citizen60.1%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later42.8%

Before 201057.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

113,215

Median Rent

$1,081/mo

Median Home Value

$207,800

Median Year Built

1988

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

61,094

College Enrollment

16.9%

High School

21.9%

College Educated

23.4%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

22.8 min

Drive Alone Rate

81.6%

Public Transit

0.2%

Work From Home

5.3%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

24.9%

18-34 Years

21.7%

35-64 Years

37.1%

65+ Years

16.3%

Population Composition

Under 1824.9%

18-3421.7%

35-6437.1%

65+16.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.6%

Single Parent

6.6%

Living Alone

28.6%

Avg Size

2.62

Household Types

Married Couples47.6%

Single Parent6.6%

Living Alone28.6%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$35,427

SNAP Usage

16.1%

Health Insurance

92.8%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k19.8%

$25k - $50k18.7%

$50k - $100k28.9%

$100k+32.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

10.4%

Retail Trade

11.5%

Education & Health Care

25.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.0%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

92.8%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

85.5%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

92.9%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

85.8

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

161.9

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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