Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

Geography The parish has a total area of 2,834 km² (1,094 mi²). 2,774 km² (1,071 mi²) of it is land and 60 km² (23 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.12% water.

Demographics As of 2000, there are 183,577 people, 68,613 households, and 49,058 families residing in the parish. The population density is 66/km² (171/mi²). There are 75,995 housing units at an average density of 27 persons/km² (71 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the parish is 73.60% White, 23.98% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.34% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 68,613 households out of which 35.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% are married couples living together, 14.70% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 28.50% are non-families. 24.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 3.11.

In the parish the population is spread out with 27.40% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the parish is $35,372, and the median income for a family is $41,903. Males have a median income of $36,569 versus $21,390 for females. The per capita income for the parish is $17,710. 15.40% of the population and 12.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.90% are under the age of 18 and 14.20% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Carlyss
• DeQuincy
• Iowa
• Lake Charles
• Moss Bluff
• Prien
• Sulphur
• Vinton
• Westlake