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
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Lake Charles covers 47.5 sq mi of land at 1721 people per square mile.
About Lake Charles, LA
Remote work is unusually rare in Lake Charles: 4.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the 14.0% national rate. Lake Charles is a city in Louisiana with a population of 81,679. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in Louisiana in the country, at #6 by population.
The typical household earns $56,864, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 16.2% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $204,000, with typical rent around $1,090.
29.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. Remote work is rare here (4.8%, below the national 14.0%), and the average commute runs about 18 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% |
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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).
Where to stay in Lake Charles
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.