The Lake Area | ||
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Metropolitan Statistical Area | ||
Lake Charles, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area | ||
Downtown Lake Charles | ||
![]() Interactive Map of Lake Charles–DeRidder, LA CSA
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Country | ![]() | |
State | ![]() | |
Largest city | Lake Charles | |
Other cities | - Sulphur - Jennings - Westlake | |
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.[1] It is also part of the larger Lake Charles–DeRidder combined statistical area which had a population of 276,909 in 2023.[1] 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.