Geography
Lake Charles Community Area Information
Located in the Southwest corner of Louisiana, Lake Charles is the parish (county) seat of Calcasieu Parish. Houston, Texas, is 146 miles west and New Orleans, Louisiana, is 205 miles to the east. The Gulf of Mexico is 34 miles south. The 25 square miles of flat level terrain has an elevation ranging from 9 -20 feet above sea level.
Population
The population of Lake Charles is approximately 71,757 with over 183,577 in the parish.
Climate
The area’s climate is generally humid and subtropical with a strong maritime character. Due to its close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the Lake Charles area enjoys mild temperatures with few extremes. Seasonal changes are gradual. Winters are generally mild with cold spells of short duration. The coldest month is January with temperatures ranging from the 40’s to the 60’s, and freezing temperatures are seldom reached.
Average annual rainfall 57.19 inches
Prevailing Winds Southerly/Southwesterly
Average Elevation 15 feet (above mean sea level)
Due to these mild conditions, the area basks in a year round flower basket of countless colors.
Government
The parish is divided into 15 districts, each of which elects a police juror. The mayors of each city are elected at large. Law enforcement is enacted by the sheriff’s department at the parish level and by the local police department. Each sizeable city has its own fire department.
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury: http://www.cppj.net
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office: www.cpso.com
City of Lake Charles Police Department: http://www.cityoflakecharles.com/department/index.asp?fDD=19-0
City of Lake Charles Fire Department: http://www.cityoflakecharles.com/department/?fDD=9-0
City of Sulphur: www.sulphur.org
Town of Iowa: www.iowala.org
