LAMap-doton-Westlake, 2004
Westlake’s story
137 years in pictures
Census counts: 1,871 in 1950, 4,781 in 2020. The archive holds 1 old photo or paper going back to 2004 and a map from 1986 on.
- 1889Westlake is settled
WestlakeLA
A town of 4,763, settled in 1889. Public schools that outperform most of Louisiana.
Population
4,763
2025 Census estimate · −4.2% since 2020
Typical home
$187K
+2.6% in a year
Household income
$68K
median
Median age
40.0
years
Jobs based here
1,027
A commuter town
TownGrade
B
#22 of 161 in LA
Is Westlake a good place to live?
Westlake gives you more for your money than most places: a typical home costs about $187K, 2.8 years of the Lake Charles metro’s $67K median household income. It grades B overall, 22nd among Louisiana's 161 graded towns. The low prices come with trade-offs. FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 87% of U.S. communities, with hurricanes at the top. On the plus side, its schools rank ahead of 81% of Louisiana towns. Westlake’s January low is 42°F, near the Louisiana town median (42°F) and above the median of U.S. towns (22°F). The biggest park or preserve is Pinederosa Park, at 62 acres.
What makes Westlake stand out
Where Westlake beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
Calcasieu Parish schools
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Westwood Elementary School | PK–2 | 412 |
| Western Heights Elementary School | 3–5 | 343 |
| S. P. Arnett Middle School | 6–8 | 374 |
SchoolsA−
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
Typical home value
Westlake$187K
Louisiana$214K
Cost of livingA−
More affordable than 77% of U.S. towns
Zillow Home Value Index; area median household income, Census ACS.
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD
Hurricanes and inland flooding at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
A commuter town
96% of working residents leave Westlake for work
Where Westlake’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,027jobs based in Westlake
4%of working residents work in town
5 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Westlake grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Louisiana), ordered by how far Westlake is from typical.
Hazard riskhurricanes tops the listDOpen →SchoolsA−Open →Cost of livingA−Open →HealthChristus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital 3.8 miles awayCOpen →SafetyCOpen →Jobs & incomeB+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.4 of 20; 9.2% of households have no car; 1.7% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trailB−Open →History2 notable people born hereDOpen →Civic life2.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Westlake: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Westlake, and how to reach them.
PowerJefferson Davis Elec Coop14.8¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterWestlake City of Water System4 health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Westlake’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Louisiana you can register online until 20 days before Election Day, in person until 30 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 30 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereCalcasieu Parish Registrar of VotersCalcasieu Parish; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2023
ZIP code7066970669 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Westlake.
Westlake pairs an A− for schools with modest home prices, has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns and looks healthier within Louisiana than nationally.
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Westlake faces a very high natural-hazard risk, led by hurricanes
147 flood insurance claims have been filed here, and 20 properties have flooded more than once.
Since 1979, 147 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Westlake.
87risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
HurricanesInland floodingTornadoes
147
paid flood claims since 1979
12
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SchoolsA−
For schools, Westlake earns an A−
Its A− for schools comes with an A− for cost of living: the typical home is worth about $187K.
Its public schools are run by the Calcasieu Parish school district. Two of its 4 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Westlake High School, with 487 students.
81%of LA districts it outscoresA−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–2 | Grades PK–2 | 412 | – |
| Westlake High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 487 | B+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within LA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
About two in five of Westlake’s working residents commute to Lake Charles
Jobs based here fell from 2,747 in 2013 to 1,027.
Most working residents leave Westlake for work: only 4% work in town. Since 2013, Westlake has lost 1,720 jobs, to 1,027 in 2023. 12% of Westlake residents live below the poverty line.
4%work in town
| Westlake | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 12% | 20% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 24 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 4.2% | 9.8% | 8% |
| Median household income | $68,000 | $56,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Westlake4%
Lake Charles41%
Sulphur8%
Lafayette2%
Carlyss2%
5 mi
median commute distance
1,027
jobs based in Westlake
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 60% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HealthC
On CDC estimates, Westlake is less healthy than 73% of U.S. towns
Within Louisiana it is healthier than 75% of the 161 graded towns: much of Louisiana scores lower on these measures.
Westlake beats the Louisiana average on 9 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0. 17% of adults worry about having enough food in Westlake.
27%healthier than U.S. townsCHealth Grade
| Westlake | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 26% | 14% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 44% | 35% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 27% | 23% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 16% | 12% |
32 measures vs. Louisiana
9 better23 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Westlake | LA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 12.9% | 18.1% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 9.2% | 12.4% |
Christus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital
3.8 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
75th
percentile among LA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
SafetyC
Crime per resident in Westlake is higher than in 72% of U.S. towns
Westlake’s property crime rate is 15.6 per 1,000 residents. Within Louisiana, it does better than 73% of towns. Westlake’s violent crime rate is 3.4 per 1,000 residents.
28%of U.S. towns report more crimeCSafety Grade
| Westlake | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 15.6 per 1,000 residents | 24.2 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 3.4 per 1,000 residents | 4.4 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Westlake3.4
Louisiana4.7
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Westlake15.6
Louisiana18.6
U.S.15.5
28th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
73rd
percentile among LA towns
16
violent crimes reported in 2025
73
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Climate
In Westlake, expect mild winters and hot summers
January nights average 42.2°, milder than in 95% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 91.5°.
Westlake has warm winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. The July high in Westlake is 92°F. Snow is almost unheard of.
92°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter44–64°
Spring59–78°
Summer73–91°
Fall59–80°
Nov 25
typical first frost
Mar 2
typical last frost
+0.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
92°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
Older than Louisiana overall
People 65 and older are 24% of residents (17% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 31% of residents (37% statewide). Westlake has lost 4.2% of its people since 2020, down to 4,763 in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 24% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 27% across Louisiana.
40median age · LA 38
| Westlake | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 19% | 24% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 24% | 20% | 29% |
| Median age | 40 years | 37.8 years | 40.5 years |
WestlakeLouisianaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
19%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma11%
High school31%
Some college27%
Associate’s7%
Bachelor’s20%
Graduate5%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±5.1 points. Across Louisiana, 51.1% of residents are women.
| Westlake | LA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 12% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 7.1% | 10.9% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.7% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 19.1% | 13.3% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 11.9% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 9.4% | 11.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 9.9% | 12.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 13.9% | 10.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 10.1% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 10.9% | 12.7% | 10.4% |
| High school | 31% | 32.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 26.9% | 20.4% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 7.1% | 7.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 19.6% | 17% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 4.5% | 10.1% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 4,800, single groups can be off by several points
HousingCost of living grade A−
For cost of living, Westlake earns an A−
The typical value, about $187K, is 22% below its November 2020 peak. At about $187K, home values are down 17% in five years, against a rise of 1% across Louisiana.
The typical Westlake home is worth about $187,000, up 2.6% in a year, 13% below the Louisiana typical home.
$187KZillow home value
| Westlake | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 75% | 68% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,049 a month | $989 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Westlake$187K
Louisiana$214K
Market temperature
72
days on market
102%
sale-to-list price
+2.6%
value change, 1 year
6
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
2%conserved
| Westlake | Louisiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conserved land | 2% | 1.2% | 4.3% |
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.2 miles per square mile | 0.2 | 0.4 |
2%
conserved · 49 of 2,436 acres
0.8 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pinederosa Park | 0.4 mi | 62 |
| 2. Westlake Recreation Center | — | 11 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Westlake
20pages on Westlake
The big questions
SchoolsA−Beat 81% of LA districts · 4 schoolsSafetyC3.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthCBetter than LA on 9 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingA−$187K typical home · up 2.6% in a yearWork & commuteB+$68K median household income · 1,027 jobs hereNatural hazardsDFEMA risk higher than 87% of U.S. communities · hurricanes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
2 within 15 miles of the center of Westlake
McNeese State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Lake Charles6.4 mi$8,489 in-state tuitionSOWELA Technical Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Lake Charles6.7 mi$4,305 in-state tuition
About 3 of every 100 Westlake residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Louisiana.
About Westlake
City in Louisiana, United States
Westlake is an industrial city in Calcasieu Parish, in western Louisiana, United States, and is part of the Lake Charles metropolitan statistical area. The population was 4,781 in 2020. Westlake was incorporated in 1945. There are many chemical plants and oil refineries situated around the Westlake area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1945
- Area
- 3.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 16 ft
- ZIP code
- 70669
- Area code
- 337
Questions about Westlake
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Westlake, LA a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. Westlake grades B overall, better than 56% of U.S. towns and #22 of 161 in Louisiana. It grades C for health, C for safety and A− for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D.
Is Westlake, LA safe?
Within Louisiana, it does better than 73% of towns.
Is Westlake, LA expensive?
Not for the area. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades A−.
What is Westlake, LA known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Joshua Ledet and Mikey Kile.