Lake Charles, Louisiana Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Lake Charles, Louisiana is 81,679 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 6th-largest city in Louisiana. The median household income is $56,864, the median home value is $204,000, and the median age is 36.2.
The population has grown 11.9% since 2010 (72,531 → 81,157).
81,679
Population
1721
People / sq mi
$56,864
Median Income
$204,000
Median Home Value
Lake Charles covers 47.5 sq mi of land at 1721 people per square mile.
About Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles is a city in Louisiana with a population of 81,679. It ranks #6 among cities in Louisiana by population. The median age is 36.2, younger than the national median. The population is 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
The median household income in Lake Charles is $56,864, below the US median of $74,580. 16.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $204,000, with monthly rent averaging $1,090. The homeownership rate of 61.1% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Lake Charles reflects 29.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 4.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 17.9 minutes each way.
Lake Charles city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Lake Charles city had a population of 72,531 in 2010 and 81,157 in 2024, a 11.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 84,885 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.84%.
81,157
Population (2024)
72,531
Population (2010)
84,885
Peak (2020)
0.84%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 72,531 |
| 2011 | 72,873 |
| 2012 | 73,665 |
| 2013 | 73,886 |
| 2014 | 74,513 |
| 2015 | 75,685 |
| 2016 | 76,462 |
| 2017 | 77,586 |
| 2018 | 78,266 |
| 2019 | 78,396 |
| 2020 | 84,885 |
| 2021 | 80,469 |
| 2022 | 79,236 |
| 2023 | 79,937 |
| 2024 | 81,157 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 47.3% |
| Black or African American | 42.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$56,864
Median Household Income
$35,847
Per Capita Income
16.2%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$204,000
Median Home Value
$1,090
Median Rent
61.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
90.2%
High School+
29.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
81.4%
Public Transit
4.8%
Work From Home
17.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
16.6%
Foreign Born
93.0%
Non-English at Home
7.8%
Veterans
15.4%
With Disability
92.2%
Health Insurance
92.1%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 28.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 12.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 9.5% |
| Manufacturing | 7.9% |
| Construction | 6.9% |
| Information | 6.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.7% |
| Public Administration | 4.5% |
| Retail Trade | 4.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.0% |
Largest cities in Louisiana
Largest counties in Louisiana
Part of Louisiana
Metro areas in Louisiana
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Charles, Louisiana has a population of 81,679 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 6th-largest city in Louisiana.
The median household income in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $56,864, with 16.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $204,000, with median monthly rent at $1,090 and a homeownership rate of 61.1%.
The median age in Lake Charles, Louisiana is 36.2 years. The population is 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
The population has grown 11.9% since 2010 (72,531 → 81,157).
More from Louisiana
Population 376,035
Population 223,699
Population 183,483
Population 138,995
Population 121,537
Full rankings of Louisiana cities by population
Statewide data for Louisiana
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Louisiana
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.