Lake Charles, LA
Full City Profile · Louisiana · Calcasieu Parish County
Lake Charles, LA
At a Glance
How Lake Charles Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Lake Charles's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Is Lake Charles a Good Place to Live?
Economy & Jobs
Lake Charles residents earn a median household income of $56,864 , which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $35,847. The unemployment rate stands at 5.5% (53% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 16.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 6,056 business establishments, including 460 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Lake Charles is $204,000 , 28% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $206,515. Median rent is $1,090/month, with 33.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1978.
Safety & Crime
Lake Charles reports 617 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 62% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 2,485/100K. The murder rate is 16.7/100K.
Education
29.4% of adults in Lake Charles hold a bachelor's degree or higher (13% below the national average). 90.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Lake Charles has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49.