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Detailed pages on related topics: Lake Charles colleges • Lake Charles travel • Lake Charles mortgages and property.
Lake Charles is situated along the banks of the Calcasieu River and is the parish seat of Calcasieu Parish. Its notable port is connected with the Gulf of Mexico by a channel. The city is known as "The festival capital of Louisiana" due to hosting more that one hundred festivals and carnivals. Lake Charles is known for gambling, rhythm and blues music and excellent cuisine. The town serves as the major educational center for the southwest portion of Louisiana. The city is a primary petrochemical refining area and features casino gambling. In 2005 Hurricane Rita caused extensive damage that will take years to fix.
The first settlers reached the area in the 1760's. In the early days, the major factor for the economy was the timber industry. The city experienced significant growth beginning in 1855 due to the construction of a lumber mill and a schooner dock by Captain Daniel Goos. His schooner was utilized for trading opportunities with ports located in Texas and Mexico.
After the Civil War ended Lake Charles resumed its role as a major lumber provider. Numerous Victorian mansions were constructed from the pine wood produced from the city's mills. The town experienced the destruction of the Great Fire of 1910. When World War II ended the petrochemical refining industry became a significant factor for the economy.
The Contraband Days festival features Cajun food, activities for families, music and is one of the biggest festivals in the state. The Mardi Gras is also a prominent event. The city hosts a vast number of festivals and celebrations including:
The downtown area provides numerous opportunities for dining and enjoying live music and is well known for having a thriving nightlife. Lake Charles is a prominent region for hunting and fishing and features the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. Riverboat casinos and horse racing are available. There are numerous locations featuring noteworthy art exhibits. Tourists enjoy visiting the historic Charpentier District which showcases some of the best Victorian architecture in Louisiana. The Lake Charles Boardwalk is located along the lake and is popular for walking and enjoying the views. Sam Houston Jones State Park provides opportunities for camping, fishing and boating.
Lake Charles strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Louisiana):
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers) | Top 1% |  |
| Short Commute Times (vs. State) | Top 3% | |
| College Educated Adults (vs. State) | Top 12% | |
| Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers) | Top 12% | |
| Well-Paid Single Women (vs. State) | Top 14% | |
| Well-Paid Single Men (vs. State) | Top 18% | |
Comparing Lake Charles to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Louisiana (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Female Share of the Population |  |  |
| Senior Citizens | |  |
| Children Under 5 Years Old |  |  |
| Age of the Population | | |
| Racial Diversity | | |
| Male Share of the Population |  | |
| Well-Paid Single Women | |  |
| Well-Paid Single Men |  | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Average Household Size | | |
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| College Educated Adults | | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| People Above Poverty | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| People Living Alone | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Property Crime | | |
| Low Violent Crime | | |
Detailed pages on related topics: Lake Charles colleges • Lake Charles travel • Lake Charles mortgages and property.
 | Lake Charles Careers Lake Charles career and employment information. |
 | Lake Charles Colleges Lake Charles colleges and trade schools. |
 | Lake Charles Hotels & Travel Lake Charles hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Lake Charles Mortgage Lake Charles property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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