Lake Charles Population

1880–2026

81,816

2026 projection

3.6% since 2020 (decrease)

020K40K60K80K100K18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.

Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.

Population by year

Population estimates for Lake Charles. Annual change is shown as a percentage. Growth is the total change since the preceding observation.
202681,816-8601.04%
202582,676+1,2221.50%
202481,454+1,2751.59%
202380,179+7470.94%
202279,432-1,1401.41%
202180,572-4,3005.07%
202084,872+4770.57%
201984,395+8611.03%
201883,534+1,3631.66%
201782,171+1,7312.15%

Showing 10 of 30 years.

The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.

Growth since 2020, compared

Lake Charles has a population change higher than Calcasieu Parish, and lower than Louisiana and the U.S.

  • United States+3.1%
  • Louisiana−0.7%
  • Lake Charles−2.6%
  • Calcasieu Parish−3.7%

Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.

Lake Charles Demographics

36.6median age

Median age

Female37.7 yrs
Male35.2 yrs

Adults

63,394
13,747 seniors (65+) · 22% of adults49,647 other adults

Sex

Female 50.6% · 41,081Male 49.4% · 40,062

Population by age

MaleFemale85+ years, male: 73485+ years, female: 98180–84 years, male: 71680–84 years, female: 58475–79 years, male: 86575–79 years, female: 1,51770–74 years, male: 1,40270–74 years, female: 1,83765–69 years, male: 2,51265–69 years, female: 2,59960–64 years, male: 2,62960–64 years, female: 2,94855–59 years, male: 1,96155–59 years, female: 2,29150–54 years, male: 2,00250–54 years, female: 2,01245–49 years, male: 2,31345–49 years, female: 1,91940–44 years, male: 1,78940–44 years, female: 2,59035–39 years, male: 3,18135–39 years, female: 2,63330–34 years, male: 3,23930–34 years, female: 3,13525–29 years, male: 2,66625–29 years, female: 3,08220–24 years, male: 3,22220–24 years, female: 3,76515–19 years, male: 2,69515–19 years, female: 2,37510–14 years, male: 2,88310–14 years, female: 2,5565–9 years, male: 2,4745–9 years, female: 1,6270–4 years, male: 2,7790–4 years, female: 2,63085+80–8475–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–41K1K2K2K3K3K

Hover or tap an age group to see exact counts. Use the up and down arrow keys to inspect age groups.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101

Race and ethnicity

Tap a square or a group below to highlight it.

Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 811 people).

Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002

Lake Charles Income

$59,235median household income

Median household income

$59,235

Half of households earn more, half earn less

Median earnings

$41,667

Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.

Poverty rate

23.3%

About 1 in 4 residents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Tables S1901, S1501, S1701

Lake Charles Marital Status

41% of residents age 15 and older are married.

MarriedNever married
Overall
Male
Female
Marital status of residents age 15 and older
StatusOverallMaleFemale
Married41%44%39%
Never married38%40%36%
Divorced12%11%13%
Widowed7%3%11%
Separated2%2%2%

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201

Sources

14 sources

Population

American Community Survey, 2024 5-year

Additional sources