According to mcat-test-centers.com, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana is located in the southwestern part of the state and is home to over 200,000 people. It is bordered by Beauregard Parish to the north, Cameron Parish to the south, and Jefferson Davis Parish to the east. The western border of Calcasieu Parish is formed by the Sabine River which separates it from Texas.
The economy of Calcasieu Parish is largely based on oil and gas production as well as petrochemical manufacturing. The Port of Lake Charles is a major port for international trade and many businesses are located here. Other industries such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, and manufacturing are also important contributors to the local economy.
Calcasieu Parish has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average high temperature in July is 91 degrees Fahrenheit while the average low temperature in January is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation averages around 50 inches per year with most of it occurring from April through October.
The population of Calcasieu Parish is predominantly white (69%) with African Americans making up 19% of the population and Hispanics/Latinos making up 10%. There are also small populations of Native Americans (0.6%) and Asians (1%). The median household income in Calcasieu Parish was $48,000 in 2017 which was slightly lower than both Louisiana ($48,400) and the United States ($57,700).
Education in Calcasieu Parish is provided by a number of public school districts including Sulphur City School District, Carlyss School District, Vinton School District, Westlake School Districts 1 & 2 among others. Additionally, there are numerous private schools located within or near parish boundaries such as St Pius X Catholic High School or Lake Charles Christian Academy among others.
Calcasieu Parish provides an array of economic opportunities for its residents while also offering a pleasant climate year-round along with plenty of educational options for children and adults alike. With its close proximity to both Texas and Louisiana, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to call this beautiful area home.
History of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana is located in the southwest corner of the state and is bordered by Texas to the west and Beauregard and Allen Parishes to the east. The western border of Calcasieu Parish is formed by the Sabine River which separates it from Texas. The name “Calcasieu” is derived from an Atakapa Indian word meaning “crying eagle” or “crying bird”.
The area that is now Calcasieu Parish has a long history that dates back to pre-colonial times when it was inhabited by several Native American tribes including the Atakapa, Opelousas, Karankawa, and Chitimacha. These tribes were eventually displaced by European settlers who began arriving in the area in the late 1700s.
In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte sold what would later become known as Louisiana to the United States in what was known as “The Louisiana Purchase”. After this event, immigration to this region increased significantly with many French Canadians settling in Calcasieu Parish. In 1840, Calcasieu Parish was officially established and named after its largest river which had been given its name by Spanish explorers years earlier.
During this time period, much of Calcasieu Parish’s economy was based on farming and ranching with cotton being one of its main crops. In addition to agriculture, lumber production also became an important industry with logging camps being established throughout the parish. After World War II ended in 1945, oil and gas began to be discovered in large quantities prompting a major economic shift towards petroleum production which continues today.
In addition to its rich economic history, Calcasieu Parish also has a strong cultural heritage with many museums and historical sites for visitors to explore such as The Imperial Calcasieu Museum or Fort Polk Military Reservation which served as a training camp during WW2. The parish also hosts various festivals throughout the year celebrating its unique culture such as Contraband Days or Mardi Gras parades each spring.
Today, Calcasieu Parish is home to over 200 thousand people who enjoy a mild climate along with plenty of opportunities for both business growth and leisure activities alike. With its close proximity to both Texas and Louisiana borders, it’s easy to see why so many people choose this beautiful area as their home.
Major cities and towns in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
Calcasieu Parish is home to several cities and towns, each with its own unique history and culture. The largest city in the parish is Lake Charles, which is located along the Calcasieu River in southwestern Louisiana. With a population of over seventy-five thousand people, Lake Charles is an important economic and cultural center in the region. It is home to McNeese State University, as well as numerous festivals throughout the year such as Contraband Days or Mardi Gras parades each spring. The city also has a thriving arts scene with galleries, theaters, and live music venues scattered around town.
The second largest city in Calcasieu Parish is Sulphur. Located just five miles west of Lake Charles, Sulphur has a population of around twenty thousand people. It was founded in 1882 when the first sulphur mine was discovered near the city’s current location and since then it has grown into an important commercial hub for Southwest Louisiana. In addition to its many shops and restaurants, Sulphur also hosts several annual events such as its famous Chili Cook-Off each April.
DeQuincy is another smaller town located at the northern end of Calcasieu Parish near Louisiana’s border with Texas. With a population of just over three thousand people, DeQuincy has retained much of its small-town charm despite its growth over the years. It boasts several historic buildings including DeQuincy Railroad Museum which showcases artifacts from when DeQuincy served as an important stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad line back in the 1800s.
Vinton lies just south of Lake Charles near Louisiana’s border with Texas and has a population of around three thousand people. Vinton was founded by French settlers back in 1790 and today it remains a charming small town with plenty to offer visitors including its annual Crawfish Festival held each spring which attracts thousands of tourists from all over Southwest Louisiana.
Westlake lies at the southern end of Calcasieu Parish near Lake Charles and has a population of nearly ten thousand people. Westlake serves as an important commercial hub for surrounding communities due to its abundance of shops, restaurants, hotels, banks, gas stations etc.. It also hosts several annual events such as Fourth Fest which features live music performances by local bands on July 4th every year.
Lastly, there’s Carlyss which lies just south east of Sulphur near Louisiana’s border with Texas and has a population of around two thousand people. Carlyss offers visitors plenty to see including historic sites such as Carlyss Cemetery or Old Spanish Trail Park where you can explore ancient Native American ruins from centuries ago.
Postal codes in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
According to Countryaah, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana is a county in the southwestern part of the state. The area is home to many small towns and cities, each with its own unique character and history. The zip codes for Calcasieu Parish range from 70601 to 70665.
The zip code 70601 serves the city of Lake Charles, which is the largest city in the parish. This zip code covers the downtown area as well as other neighborhoods like Moss Bluff and Westlake. It also includes McNeese State University and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
Zip code 70602 serves Sulphur, a smaller city located near Lake Charles. This zip code covers most of Sulphur including its shops, restaurants, and annual events such as its famous Chili Cook-Off each April.
Zip code 70603 covers DeQuincy, a small town located at the northern end of Calcasieu Parish near Louisiana’s border with Texas. This zip code includes several historic buildings such as DeQuincy Railroad Museum which showcases artifacts from when DeQuincy served as an important stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad line back in the 1800s.
Vinton is another small town located south of Lake Charles near Louisiana’s border with Texas and has a population of around three thousand people. Its zip code is 70604 which includes Vinton’s annual Crawfish Festival held each spring which attracts thousands of tourists from all over Southwest Louisiana.
Westlake lies at the southern end of Calcasieu Parish near Lake Charles and has a population of nearly ten thousand people. Its zip code is 70605 which includes many shops, restaurants, hotels, banks, gas stations etc.. It also hosts several annual events such as Fourth Fest which features live music performances by local bands on July 4th every year.
Lastly, there’s Carlyss which lies just southeast of Sulphur near Louisiana’s border with Texas and has a population of around two thousand people. Its zip code is 70606 which includes historic sites such as Carlyss Cemetery or Old Spanish Trail Park where you can explore ancient Native American ruins from centuries ago.