Lake Charles, Louisiana

parish seat of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States

Lake Charles is the most populous city in the southwest Louisiana. It is the second most populous city in the Acadiana (after Lafayette). It is the fifth most populous city in the U.S. state of Louisiana (after New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Lafayette). The actual population is about 85,000. The city was founded as Charleston, March 7, 1861. The name was changed to Lake Charles on March 16, 1867. The city was founded by and named for Charles Sallier.

Lake Charles, Louisiana
Zephyr's at Downtown Lake Charles
Zephyr's at Downtown Lake Charles
Nickname: 
The Lake Area
Map
Interactive map of Lake Charles
Coordinates: 30°12′53″N 93°12′31″W / 30.21472°N 93.20861°W / 30.21472; -93.20861
Country United States
State Louisiana
ParishCalcasieu
FoundedMarch 7, 1861; 163 years ago (1861-03-07) as Charleston
RenamedMarch 16, 1867; 157 years ago (1867-03-16) as Lake Charles
Founded byCharles Sallier
Named forCharles Sallier
Government
 • MayorNicholas E. "Nic" Hunter (R)
 • City Council[1]
Members list
Area
 • City48.5 sq mi (125.5 km2)
 • Land45.7 sq mi (118.2 km2)
 • Water2.8 sq mi (7.3 km2)
Elevation
15 ft (5 m)
Population
 • City84,872
 • Estimate 
(2023)[4]
79,633
 • RankCA: 1st
LA: 5th
 • Density1,700/sq mi (680/km2)
 • Urban
162,501
 • Metro
254,652
DemonymLake Charlesian
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CST)
ZIP Codes
70601, 70602, 70605, 70606, 70607, 70609, 70615, 70616, 70629
Area Code337
Primary airportLake Charles Regional Airport
Interstates
U.S. Route
WaterwaysCalcasieu River
Websitewww.cityoflakecharles.com

References

change
  1. "City of Lake Charles". Cityoflakecharles.com. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  3. "QuickFacts: Lake Charles city, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  4. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 23, 2024.