Lake Charles metropolitan area
The Lake Area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA metropolitan statistical area | ||
Downtown Lake Charles | ||
Interactive Map of Lake Charles–DeRidder, LA CSA
| ||
| Country | United States | |
| State | Louisiana | |
| Largest city | Lake Charles | |
| Other cities | ||
| Population (2020) | ||
• Total | 254,652 | |
• Estimate (2023) | 240,082 | |
| • Rank | US: 199th | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
The Lake Charles metropolitan statistical area is a metropolitan area in the Acadiana region of southwest Louisiana that covers three parishes—Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis. According to a 2023 census estimate, the MSA had a population of 240,082. It is also part of the larger Lake Charles–DeRidder combined statistical area which had a population of 276,909 in 2023. The Lake Charles MSA also shares borders with the Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area to the west. Metropolitan Lake Charles, the principal city, is commonly referred to as the Lake Area.