Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana Overview

Lake Charles earns an overall grade of D with a composite score of 43.8 out of 100, ranking #828 of 20 cities in Louisiana. The city's strongest category is Affordability (84/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (10/100).

Income & Employment in Lake Charles

The median household income in Lake Charles is $55,420 according to Census ACS data. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. The city's population grew 1.5% recently, indicating strong demand.

Safety in Lake Charles

Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 638.8 per 100,000 residents. This is above the national average, and safety is an important factor to consider. The property crime rate is 2946.6 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Lake Charles

Lake Charles has a cost of living index of 86.7 (where 100 equals the national average), which is well below the national average. The median home value is $204,000. Median monthly rent is $1,090. Overall, Lake Charles offers below-average costs relative to the rest of the country.

Health & Wellness in Lake Charles

The adult obesity rate in Lake Charles is 45.6% according to CDC PLACES data. The diabetes prevalence rate is 16.2%. Residents report an average of 19.7 poor mental health days per month. These health indicators are important for assessing overall quality of life in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Education & Schools in Lake Charles

Lake Charles has 34 public schools serving 19,436 students. The high school graduation rate is 94.9%, well above the national average. The student-teacher ratio is 13.4:1, indicating smaller class sizes. The district spends $17,714 per student. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Lake Charles

Lake Charles has an annual average temperature of 71.1°F. Summers average 85.3°F. Winters average 57.7°F. The city receives approximately 45.5 inches of precipitation per year.

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