| The Lake Area | |
| Official Name: | Lake Charles–DeRidder, LA Combined Statistical Area |
| Settlement Type: | Combined Statistical Area |
| Image Alt: | Downtown Lake Charles |
| Map Alt: | Map of Lake Charles Metropolitan Area |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Louisiana |
| Subdivision Type2: | Largest city |
| Subdivision Name2: | Lake Charles |
| Subdivision Type3: | Other cities |
| Unit Pref: | US |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 254652 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2022 |
| Population Est: | 239346 |
| Population Rank: | US 199th |
| Timezone: | CST |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
The Lake Charles–DeRidder combined statistical area is made up of four parishes in southwestern Louisiana. The statistical area consists of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area and the DeRidder Micropolitan Statistical Area. The largest principal city is Lake Charles, and the smaller principal city is Jennings. As of the 2010 census, the CSA had a population of 231,201. A July 1, 2019 estimate placed the population at 241,777.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 225,003 people, 83,865 households, and 60,291 families residing within the CSA. The racial makeup of the CSA was 75.47% White, 22.22% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
The median income for a household in the CSA was $32,447, and the median income for a family was $38,232. Males had a median income of $32,005 versus $19,724 for females. The per capita income for the CSA was $15,485.