Lake Charles is the fifth largest incorporated city in the state of Louisiana. It is the major cultural and educational center in the southwest region of the state and one of the most important in Acadiana.
The City of Lake Charles is conveniently located off Interstate-10 between Houston, TX and New Orleans, LA. Our sandy beaches make up the shores of the Calcasieu River just 30 miles upstream from the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Charles is connected to the Gulf by means of a deep-water ship channel and is the seat and port of entry of Calcasieu Parish.
The city is considered a major petrochemical refining center, gaming center, and home to McNeese State University.
The history of Lake Charles is spiced with tales of pirates and buried treasure, especially along the beaches near the Gulf of Mexico. The legends of Jean Lafitte and other pirates came when first French settlers arrived in the late 1700s. The main industry in the early days was lumber mills. Later on it became a center for oil, petroleum and sulfur industries. There is a huge petroleum reserve nearby Lake Charles underground. Not far from Lake Charles is much of the nation's strategic petroleum reserve, hidden in salt caves since the 1970s.
There is a historic district in downtown Lake Charles which highlights the city's many fine Victorian era homes. Today Lake Charles is one of the largest cities in Louisiana and its beaches and lake make it very popular for outdoor recreation and other recreation and lead to the name the "Cajun Riviera."
With over 75 festivals held annually, Lake Charles is referred to as the Festival Capital of Louisiana.The City of Lake Charles has a unique downtown district that is quickly becoming the heart of the city. The City's lakefront and downtown area offer a variety of entertainment and economic options, attracting visitors, residents and businesses to the area.
The Lake Charles downtown area provides many options for leisure. On the shore of our fresh water lake is the only white sand inland beach on the Gulf Coast. A boardwalk stretches the length of the lakefront connecting the beach to a series of waterfront parks, including Millennium Park, the Veteran's Memorial Park and the September 11th Memorial. The city hosts many events on the lakefront including, water sports shows, boat parades, firework displays, and festivals. The Lake Charles Civic Center and Arcade Amphitheatre provide venues for a variety of live entertainment.
Lake Charles LA is also home to many festivals and events like the 20th Annual Cajun Music & Food Festival in July. These festivals are a great way to discover the Southern Cajun food and listen to the Zydeco music that is signature to this part of Louisiana. But one of the must see events in Lake Charles is the Contraband Days festival. In honor of Jean Lafitte, who was said to have hidden his treasures along the beaches and coves of southwest Louisiana, For twelve days, you can experience outdoor concerts, fireworks, children events, carnival rides, and of course, food! Contraband Days gives visitors a chance to travel back in time to a place where pirates ruled the water, enemies walked the plank, and the fascination of buried treasure captivated imaginations.
If nature is more your speed, you'll be right at home in the sportsman's paradise with some of the best fishing and hunting in the world. You may want to try your luck on the lake at one of our world-class casinos in Lake Charles and Westlake or cheer on the thundering thoroughbreds in Vinton. 24 Hours a day, seven days a week?the night-life never stops in Southwest Louisiana-Lake Charles! You'll also marvel at the natural beauty of the Creole Nature Trail Natural Scenic Byway. This 180-mile drive is loaded with beautiful marshes, bayous, alligators, birds and more.
If you want a taste of Cajun Country with plenty of fun and games for the adventurer, take a visit to Lake Charles LA and don’t forget to visit the beach!
Housing Cost
Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $87,000
Demographics
Estimated population in July 2006: 70,224. Lake Charles covers 40.2 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 40 feet above sea level.
Zip codes: 70601, 70605, 70607, 70611, 70615
Area code: 337
Weather
Lake Charles, LA climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.
The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 91.30 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 41.20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 17 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Lake Charles is 59.61 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 6.47 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
history of Lake Charles is spiced with tales of pirates and buried treasure, especially along the beaches near the Gulf of Mexico. The legends of Jean Lafitte and other pirates came when first French settlers arrived in the late 1700s. The main industry in the early days was lumber mills. Later on it became a center for oil, petroleum and sulfur industries. There is a huge petroleum reserve nearby Lake Charles underground. Not far from Lake Charles is much of the nation's strategic petroleum reserve, hidden in salt caves since the 1970s.