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Lake Charles, Louisiana

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; 165 years ago (1861-03-07) as Charleston
RenamedMarch 16, 1867; 159 years ago (1867-03-16) as Lake Charles
Founded byCharles Sallier
Named forCharles Sallier
Government
  MayorMarshall Simien Jr. (I)[1][2]
  City Council[3]
Members list
  • Dist A: Ronnie Harvey, Jr.
  • Dist B: Donald Fondel
  • Dist C: Tommy Bilbo
  • Dist D: Matt Young
  • Dist E: Stuart Weatherford
  • Dist F: Craig Marks
  • Dist G: Matthew Vezinot
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 
(2024)[6]
81,157
  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

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.

References

[change | change source]
  1. "Mayor Nic Hunter and Lake Charles City Council Sworn Into Office". City of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  2. "Home". City of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
  3. "City Council". City of Lake Charles. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  4. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  5. "QuickFacts: Lake Charles city, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  6. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 27, 2025.