Lake Charles, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lake Charles
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Top to bottom, L-R: Downtown Lake Charles, L'Auberge du Lac Casino, McNeese State University, John McNeese statue, Israel LaFleur Bridge, Lake Charles City Court, Henderson Bayou
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| Nickname(s):
The Lake Area
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Location of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
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 Lake Charles
Location in Louisiana
Lake Charles
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Louisiana |
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| Parish | Calcasieu | ||||
| Founded | About 1857 as Charleston | ||||
| Renamed | March 16, 1867 as Lake Charles | ||||
| Founded by | Charles Sallier | ||||
| Named for | Charles Sallier | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • City | 48.46 sq mi (125.51 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 45.65 sq mi (118.23 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 2.81 sq mi (7.28 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 15 ft (5 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 84,872 | ||||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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79,633 | ||||
| • Density | 1,751.38/sq mi (676.217/km2) | ||||
| • Urban | 162,501 | ||||
| • Metro | 254,652 | ||||
| Demonym(s) | Lake Charlesian | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CST) | ||||
| ZIP codes |
70601, 70602, 70605, 70606, 70607, 70609, 70615, 70616, 70629
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| Area code | 337 | ||||
| FIPS code | 22-41155 | ||||
Lake Charles is a lively city in Louisiana, USA. It's the fifth-largest city in the state. It is also the main city of Calcasieu Parish. The city sits right on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River.
Lake Charles was founded in 1861. It is a major center for industry, culture, and education. You can find McNeese State University here. The city and its surrounding area are often called the Lake Area. This is because of all the lakes and waterways. As of 2020, about 84,872 people live in Lake Charles.
Contents
- A Look Back in Time: Lake Charles History
- Exploring Lake Charles: Geography and Climate
- People of Lake Charles: Demographics
- Working in Lake Charles: Economy
- Culture and Fun: Arts and Events
- Sports and Recreation: Stay Active!
- Parks and Outdoors: Fun in Nature
- Learning in Lake Charles: Education
- News and Entertainment: Media
- Getting Around: Infrastructure
- Images for kids
- See also
A Look Back in Time: Lake Charles History
Lake Charles was first called Charleston. It became an official town on March 7, 1861.
A merchant named Marco Eliche founded an outpost here. He was a trader from either Spain or Italy. He had traveled to Louisiana and worked for the Spanish Empire. Before it was Charleston, the area had other names. Some called it Porte du Lafitte (Port of Jean Lafitte).
The town was named Charleston in 1857. This was after an early settler, Charles Sallier. Ten years later, on March 16, 1867, Charleston changed its name. It became the City of Lake Charles. A big fire in April 1910 destroyed much of the city.
Lake Charles quickly rebuilt and grew. The Charleston Hotel was finished in 1929. After World War II, industries like oil refineries moved in. The city's population grew to about 75,000 people by the early 1980s.
In 2005, Hurricane Rita caused a lot of damage. In 2020, two more hurricanes hit the city. Hurricane Laura (Category 4) struck on August 26–27. Then Hurricane Delta followed on October 9, 2020. People said Lake Charles looked like "20 tornadoes came in and wiped the city." Smaller tornadoes also caused damage in 2021 and 2024.
Exploring Lake Charles: Geography and Climate
Lake Charles is on a flat plain. It is about 30 miles (48 km) from the Gulf of Mexico. The city is about 13 feet (4 m) above sea level. It sits on the banks of the Calcasieu River. The city also borders Lake Charles and Prien Lake.
Smaller waterways like Contraband Bayou and English Bayou flow through the city. Oak and pine trees are common here. The lumber industry was once very important. The Calcasieu Ship Channel also runs by the city. This channel lets large ships sail from the Gulf.
The city's total area is about 48.6 square miles (125.9 km2). Most of this is land, with some water.
Weather in Lake Charles: Humid and Rainy
Lake Charles is one of the most humid cities in the contiguous United States. The air is very moist, especially in the mornings. It also gets a lot of rain. The city receives about 57.49 inches (1,460 mm) of rain each year.
| Climate data for Lake Charles Regional Airport, Louisiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 88 (31) |
88 (31) |
94 (34) |
95 (35) |
100 (38) |
106 (41) |
103 (39) |
109 (43) |
105 (41) |
103 (39) |
92 (33) |
89 (32) |
109 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 76.5 (24.7) |
78.1 (25.6) |
82.2 (27.9) |
86.4 (30.2) |
91.5 (33.1) |
95.4 (35.2) |
96.9 (36.1) |
98.1 (36.7) |
95.7 (35.4) |
90.5 (32.5) |
83.5 (28.6) |
78.6 (25.9) |
99.1 (37.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 63.0 (17.2) |
66.7 (19.3) |
73.1 (22.8) |
79.0 (26.1) |
85.4 (29.7) |
90.5 (32.5) |
92.2 (33.4) |
92.8 (33.8) |
89.4 (31.9) |
82.1 (27.8) |
72.2 (22.3) |
65.3 (18.5) |
79.3 (26.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 53.2 (11.8) |
56.9 (13.8) |
63.1 (17.3) |
69.1 (20.6) |
76.4 (24.7) |
82.1 (27.8) |
83.9 (28.8) |
84.0 (28.9) |
80.1 (26.7) |
71.3 (21.8) |
61.4 (16.3) |
55.3 (12.9) |
69.7 (20.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 43.4 (6.3) |
47.1 (8.4) |
53.1 (11.7) |
59.3 (15.2) |
67.3 (19.6) |
73.7 (23.2) |
75.6 (24.2) |
75.1 (23.9) |
70.7 (21.5) |
60.4 (15.8) |
50.6 (10.3) |
45.3 (7.4) |
60.1 (15.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 26.7 (−2.9) |
31.5 (−0.3) |
35.0 (1.7) |
42.9 (6.1) |
53.8 (12.1) |
66.0 (18.9) |
70.5 (21.4) |
69.4 (20.8) |
57.9 (14.4) |
43.3 (6.3) |
33.7 (0.9) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
25.1 (−3.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 12 (−11) |
3 (−16) |
14 (−10) |
30 (−1) |
40 (4) |
51 (11) |
60 (16) |
59 (15) |
45 (7) |
30 (−1) |
23 (−5) |
11 (−12) |
3 (−16) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.89 (150) |
3.26 (83) |
3.67 (93) |
4.44 (113) |
5.40 (137) |
6.54 (166) |
5.69 (145) |
6.19 (157) |
5.18 (132) |
4.80 (122) |
4.13 (105) |
4.56 (116) |
59.75 (1,518) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.3 | 8.8 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 7.9 | 10.8 | 11.4 | 11.3 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 9.5 | 108.3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78.8 | 76.5 | 76.3 | 76.1 | 77.3 | 78.2 | 80.1 | 79.8 | 79.4 | 75.9 | 77.3 | 79.0 | 77.9 |
| Source: NOAA (relative humidity 1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
Hurricanes: Powerful Storms
Hurricane Laura hit Lake Charles very hard in 2020. The winds were super strong, up to 150 mph (240 km/h). The Lake Charles Regional Airport had wind gusts of 128 mph (206 km/h). Many buildings were damaged, and windows were blown out. A communications tower fell onto the KPLC studio.
Just a few weeks later, Hurricane Delta also hit Lake Charles. These storms caused a lot of destruction.
People of Lake Charles: Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 838 | — | |
| 1890 | 3,442 | 310.7% | |
| 1900 | 6,680 | 94.1% | |
| 1910 | 11,449 | 71.4% | |
| 1920 | 13,088 | 14.3% | |
| 1930 | 15,791 | 20.7% | |
| 1940 | 21,207 | 34.3% | |
| 1950 | 41,272 | 94.6% | |
| 1960 | 63,392 | 53.6% | |
| 1970 | 77,998 | 23.0% | |
| 1980 | 75,226 | −3.6% | |
| 1990 | 70,580 | −6.2% | |
| 2000 | 71,757 | 1.7% | |
| 2010 | 71,993 | 0.3% | |
| 2020 | 84,872 | 17.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Lake Charles is the main city of the Lake Charles metropolitan area. This larger area had about 240,082 people in 2023. The city's population grew to 84,872 by the 2020 census.
In 2020, the average household income was $37,894. The average time people spent commuting to work was 22.4 minutes.
Diversity in Lake Charles: Race and Ethnicity
Lake Charles is a diverse city. In 2020, about 46.2% of the people were Black or African American. About 42.5% were non-Hispanic white. Other groups included Asian, American Indian, and people of two or more races. About 5.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Faith in the City: Religion
Like much of the American South, Christianity is the main religion. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian group. The Southern Baptist Convention is the second largest. Many other Christian churches are also present.
There is also a small number of people who follow Islam. A small Jewish community also lives in Lake Charles.
Working in Lake Charles: Economy
The biggest employer in Lake Charles is the Calcasieu Parish School System. It employs about 5,000 people. The L'Auberge Casino Resort is the second-largest employer. It has 2,400 workers.
Industries and Factories
Many chemical plants and an oil refinery are near the city. They are located along the Calcasieu Ship Channel. Companies like Turner Industries, Westlake Chemical Corporation, and Citgo employ many people. The Trunkline LNG terminal handles liquified natural gas. Other big companies include PPG Industries and Sasol.
Chennault International Airport is home to AAR Corp, which fixes airplanes. Northrop Grumman also has a facility there.
Shopping and Stores
Lake Charles is a shopping hub for the area. It has small local shops and big stores. The Prien Lake Mall serves nearly 300,000 people. The Lake Charles Power Center has over 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m2) of shopping space. The Cottage Shop District has many small businesses.
Casinos: Fun and Games
Lake Charles has Louisiana's largest casino market. The L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort is a huge hotel. It has nearly 1,000 guest rooms, a casino, and a golf course. The Golden Nugget Lake Charles casino opened in 2014. It is next to L'Auberge du Lac. It has over 740 guest rooms, a casino, and a private beach.
Other casinos nearby include Horseshoe Lake Charles and Delta Downs.
Culture and Fun: Arts and Events
Lake Charles has a mix of Creole and Cajun cultures. This is because it's in Southwest Louisiana, part of Acadiana.
The city has its own symphony orchestra. It was started in 1938. They perform at the Rosa Hart Theatre. The Lake Charles Little Theatre is the second oldest community theater in Louisiana. It was founded in 1927.
Lake Charles has several museums and art galleries. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum has historical items and art. The Sallier oak tree, about 400 years old, is on its grounds. The Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center shows different art exhibits each month. It also hosts a farmers' market.
The Central School Arts and Humanities Center is in the historic Charpentier District. This district is known for its unique homes. The center has the Black Heritage Art Gallery. It also has the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu. This museum has amazing costumes and a fun, interactive float. It has the biggest collection of Mardi Gras items in the South.
McNeese State University hosts the Banners Series. This series brings music, theater, and famous speakers to the city.
Louisiana Pirate Festival: A Swashbuckling Event
Many festivals happen at the Civic Center. The most popular is the Louisiana Pirate Festival. It used to be called Contraband Days. This festival lasts for twelve days in early May. It features tasty Cajun food, family fun, and live music.
Over 200,000 people attend this festival. It's one of Louisiana's biggest celebrations. The festival starts with a fun tradition. The pirate Jean Lafitte and his crew "capture" the city. They make the mayor "walk the plank"!
Mardi Gras: A Colorful Celebration
Mardi Gras in Lake Charles has a long history. It started in 1882. After the World Wars, the celebrations became smaller. But in 1964, the first Mardi Gras Ball was held.
In 1979, groups called "Krewe of Krewes" helped bring back the parades. Today, Mardi Gras in Lake Charles attracts about 150,000 people. It's a very colorful and exciting event!
Other Cultural Events
Lake Charles hosts many other events. These include:
- Chuck Fest
- Martin Luther King Festival
- Livestock Show & Rodeo
- Black Heritage Festival
- Crawfish Festival
- Asian/American Culturefest
- Music & Food Festivals
- Marshland Festival
- Arts Fest
Libraries: Places to Learn
Lake Charles has four libraries. The largest is Frazar Memorial Library at McNeese State University. It has over 400,000 books. The first library, Carnegie Memorial Library, opened in 1904. It was funded by Andrew Carnegie. This library also has a special collection for family history.
Sports and Recreation: Stay Active!
Lake Charles is home to the McNeese Cowboys. Their football team plays at Cowboy Stadium. It can hold over 17,000 fans. Burton Coliseum hosts the McNeese basketball teams.
Lake Charles has also had minor-league baseball, indoor football, and ice hockey teams.
Golf is very popular here. There are several golf courses, including:
- Mallard Cove Golf Course
- Gray Plantation Golf Course
- Lake Charles Country Club Golf Course
- Contraband Bayou Golf Club
- The Country Club at Golden Nugget
South Lake Charles Little League has had teams that won national games. They even appeared on ESPN!
Parks and Outdoors: Fun in Nature
The city has 31 parks. Many have playgrounds, sports fields, and walking paths. Shiver-Me-Timbers Millennium Park was built by volunteers in 2000. Adventure Cove is a special park for children with disabilities. It was also built by volunteers.
Hunting and fishing are popular activities. The Creole Nature Trail is a famous road. It brings tourists to explore the natural beauty of Southwest Louisiana.
Learning in Lake Charles: Education
Universities and Colleges
Lake Charles has one university and one community college. McNeese State University is a four-year public university. It has a beautiful 121-acre (0.49 km2) campus with oak trees. Contraband Bayou flows through it. McNeese was founded in 1939. It offers over 80 different majors. More than 8,500 students attend McNeese.
SOWELA Technical Community College offers two-year degrees and job training programs. Delta School of Business and Technology focuses on vocational courses.
Schools for Kids: Primary and Secondary
Public schools in Lake Charles are run by the Calcasieu Parish Public School System. There are also charter schools and private schools. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles operates Catholic schools in the area.
News and Entertainment: Media
Newspapers and Magazines
The main daily newspaper is The American Press. Other popular magazines include Lagniappe Magazine and Thrive Magazine. The Contraband is the student newspaper for McNeese State University.
Television Channels
You can watch many TV channels in Lake Charles. These include:
- KPLC 7 (NBC and CW)
- KSWL-LD 17 (CBS)
- KLTL 18 (PBS)
- KWWE-LD 19 (MyNetworkTV/MeTV)
- KVHP 29 (Fox and ABC)
Radio Stations
Lake Charles has many radio stations playing different types of music and shows. Some popular ones include:
- KTSR 92.1 (Classic Rock)
- KSMB 94.5 (Top 40)
- KYKZ 96.1 (Country)
- KKGB 101.3 (Mainstream Rock)
- KZWA 104.9 (Urban Adult Contemporary)
- KJMH 107.5 (Urban)
- KLVI 560 (News/Talk)
Getting Around: Infrastructure
Roads and Bridges
The city's streets are mostly in a grid pattern. Interstate 10 goes through Lake Charles. It connects the city to Houston in the west and New Orleans in the east. The Calcasieu River Bridge crosses the Calcasieu River. About 50,000 vehicles use it every day.
Interstate 210 is a highway that loops around the southern part of the city. The curving Israel LaFleur Bridge is part of this loop. It goes over the Calcasieu Ship Channel. This bridge is very strong, even after hurricanes.
Other important highways include U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 171.
Airports: Flying In and Out
Lake Charles has two airports. Lake Charles Regional Airport offers commercial flights to Houston and Dallas. Chennault International Airport is an industrial and maintenance center. It was once a military base. It is named after Maj. Gen. Claire Chennault, a famous aviator from World War II.
Seaports: Shipping Goods
The Port of Lake Charles is a very busy seaport. It is the thirteenth-busiest in the United States. The City Docks are the main shipping area. The Calcasieu Ship Channel connects directly to the Gulf of Mexico.
Public Transportation: Buses and Trains
Lake Charles Transit is the city's bus system. It has five routes. There is also a Greyhound bus station. The Amtrak station serves the Sunset Limited train route.
Utilities and Healthcare
The company Entergy provides electricity. The city provides drinking water and sewage services. Water is treated at six facilities.
Lake Charles has two hospitals: Christus St. Patrick Hospital and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
Images for kids
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Top to bottom, L-R: Downtown Lake Charles, L'Auberge du Lac Casino, McNeese State University, John McNeese statue, Israel LaFleur Bridge, Lake Charles City Court, Henderson Bayou
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Flag of Lake Charles
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Seal of Lake Charles
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Location of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
See also
In Spanish: Lake Charles (Luisiana) para niños
