City

Lake Charles, LA

11 ZIP codes  ·  Calcasieu County  ·  Louisiana

👥135,457Population
💰$70,381Median HH Income▼ 8% below avg
🎂36.7Median Age
🏠$214,341Median Home Value▼ 23% below avg
🎓39.7%College Grads≈ Avg
📊6.2%Unemployment▲ 26% above avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 49.8% Female 50.3% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 56.8%Hispanic: 5%Black: 31.9%Asian: 1.8%Other: 4%Race
White56.8%
Hispanic5.0%
Black31.9%
Asian1.8%
Other4.0%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
7%
5–17
17%
18–24
9%
25–44
27%
45–64
24%
65+
7%

Key Indicators

Median Age36.7 yrs
Avg HH Size2.31
Below Poverty18.6% ▲ 86% above avg
College Grads39.7% ≈ Avg
Unemployment6.2% ▲ 26% above avg
No HS Diploma1,149 (1.4%)
HS Graduate24,791 (30.1%)
Some College10,348 (12.6%)
Associates13,063 (15.9%)
Bachelors8,905 (10.8%)
Graduate Degree24,059 (29.2%)

Education

No HS: 1.4%HS Grad: 30.1%Some College: 12.6%Associates: 15.9%Bachelors: 10.8%Graduate: 29.2%Edu
No HS1.4%
HS Grad30.1%
Some College12.6%
Associates15.9%
Bachelors10.8%
Graduate29.2%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 68.3%Renter: 31.7%Tenure
Owner68.3%
Renter31.7%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
6%
$50k–$100k
12%
$100k–$150k
12%
$150k–$200k
14%
$200k–$300k
27%
$300k–$500k
22%
Over $500k
7%

Financials

Median HH Income$70,381 ▼ 8% below avg
Median Home Value$214,341 ▼ 23% below avg
Home/Income Ratio3.0x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$1,148/mo
Total Housing Units62,898
Vacant Units12,119

Income Distribution

Under $25k
20%
$25k–$50k
16%
$50k–$75k
16%
$75k–$100k
12%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
8%
Over $200k
10%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
92%
Public Transit
0%
Walked
2%
Work From Home
6%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
37%
15–30 min
42%
30–45 min
14%
Over 45 min
7%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
2%
1940s–1950s
11%
1960s–1970s
12%
1980s–1990s
15%
2000+
60%
About Lake Charles, LA

Lake Charles is a city in Louisiana, located in Calcasieu County. The city spans 11 ZIP codes and is home to approximately 135,457 residents. It is a relatively young city, with a median age of 36.74 years.

Economically, Lake Charles is a solidly middle-class community. The median household income of $70,381 is near the national average. Approximately 18.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 6.2%, above the national average.

The real estate market in Lake Charles is an affordable housing market. Median home values stand at $214,341, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $1,147 per month. Homeownership is high at 68.3%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Lake Charles is moderately educated. 39.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — near the national average. The community is majority White (56.76%).

Lake Charles, LA offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within Louisiana. Spread across 11 ZIP codes, the city's neighborhoods vary in character, density, and demographics — explore each ZIP code below for a detailed breakdown.

ZIP Codes in Lake Charles
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
70601 31,843 $49,545 $164,300 $938 7.0% 34.6% 60.4%
70605 40,715 $88,337 $293,800 $1,348 3.1% 53.3% 72.3%
70607 28,285 $58,427 $171,700 $1,053 8.2% 32.5% 63.4%
70611 20,681 $101,146 $249,400 $1,241 3.3% 41.8% 84.0%
70615 13,521 $43,333 $128,500 $1,095 13.8% 24.0% 60.9%