| City: | Lake Charles, Louisiana |
| Names to Avoid: | Mcneese State University |
| Parish: | Calcasieu Parish |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:59:08 AM |
| Population: | 260 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 337 |
| Classification: | Unique [Company/Government] |
| Coordinates: | 30.1798, -93.2162 |
| Land Area: | 0.009 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
McNeese State University, established in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College under LSU, operates under dedicated ZIP code 70609 in Calcasieu Parish. The institution was renamed for John McNeese, the first superintendent of schools in Imperial Calcasieu Parish, and achieved university status in 1970. McNeese opened on 86 acres donated by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury with just two buildings. The athletic teams, known as the Cowboys and Cowgirls, compete in NCAA Division I. This postal designation has served the campus for more than two decades.
The 2020 Census counted 260 residents within this ZIP boundary, with a median age of 20.9 years reflecting the student population. All residents live in non-institutional group quarters, consistent with dormitory housing. Census Business Patterns shows 7 establishments employing 40 workers. Postal records identify 1 ZIP+4 code for campus mail. Mail should be addressed to Lake Charles, LA 70609 with the department name included.
| Population: | 260 |
| Median Age: | 20.9 |
| Housing Units: | 3 |
| Establishments: | 7 |
| Employment: | 40 |
ZIP Code 70609 has 260 residents and 3 households. The median age is 20.9 years, significantly younger than the state (38.1) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 60.8% male and 39.2% female, which is much higher than the state male share (48.5%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (51.2%, much lower than the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (28.8%, much higher than the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 9.6%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and Black or African American share is much higher than the national average (12.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 260Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 357Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 28,888.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 3Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 0.00Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 0.00Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 421 | 473 | 412 | 357 |
| Decennial Census | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 260 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 20.9
Male Median Age: 20.6
Female Median Age: 21.3
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 99 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 74 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 173 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 133 | 48.90% |
| Black: | 75 | 27.57% |
| Hispanic:* | 25 | 9.19% |
| Asian: | 24 | 8.82% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.74% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 13 | 4.78% |
| Total: | 272 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 158 | 60.77% | 20.6 years |
| Females: | 102 | 39.23% | 21.3 years |
| Total: | 260 | 100% | 20.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 338 | 94.68% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 19 | 5.32% |
| Total Population: | 357 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 338 | 94.68% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 19 | 5.32% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is well under the national median ($80,734), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $6,250 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $6,250 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 60.2%, which is below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 21.9%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (58.3%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,250 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 168 | 47.06% |
| Unemployed: | 47 | 13.17% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 142 | 39.78% |
| Total: | 357 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 15 | 8.93% |
| Service: | 98 | 58.33% |
| Sales and Office: | 38 | 22.62% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 6 | 3.57% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 11 | 6.55% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 168 | 100% |
In 2024, 0.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 9.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is -666,666,666.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.80%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (100.00%). College enrollment is 100.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some college, no degree: | 22 | 100.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 22 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 22 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 281 | 60.95% |
| Public Insurance: | 145 | 31.45% |
| No Insurance: | 35 | 7.59% |
| Total: | 461 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 426 | 92.41% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 357 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 357 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0.00% |
ZIP Code 70609 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 6 business establishments, employing about 28 people with an annual payroll of $559,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 3,020Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 6Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $138,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $559,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 28Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 70609 is located in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, within the Lake Charles, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 29340) and Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 199,607 people, about 0.13% of whom live in ZIP Code 70609. It covers 0.009 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Lake Charles, LASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 29340Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 199,607Source: Census |
| MSA: | Lake Charles, LA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.009 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 03Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 6983.32 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 2241155Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Lake Charles city; LouisianaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 70609 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.