Local historian Adley Cormier says Cameron is "sort of the experimental child" of Gulf Coast development. "There's fewer people living there now than have probably ever lived there since the 1870s, when it was first set up." At the mouth of the Calcasieu Ship Channel, the coastal community began as a fishing and crabbing hamlet. Over time, its story intertwined with hurricanes and their consequences. "We live on the coastal edge of America, and it's a very fragile edge," Cormier says. "Location is largely determined by access to water and water's access to you. It's a big part of the development of Southwest Louisiana." In 2020, following back-to-back destruction from hurricanes Laura and Delta, Cameron took an unexpected turn: Some locals fled to more resilient communities, but others dug in. Now, a liquified natural gas project with Venture Global — Cameron's biggest employer — is helping turn the tides of coastal and community erosion.
Drive along the coast outside of Cameron to take in the beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico.
A local man walks the beach in Cameron in search of clams in the sand.
1/2
RV parks and homes on stilts
Cameron's population has continuously fallen for years. Many residents are transient, staying in RV parks for only a few months while they or their family members perform contract work at nearby chemical refineries or offshore oil rigs. Many workers rent their RV plot, often around $500 a month, but some do purchase their plot for longer stays and repeat visits. Prices range from $25,000 for less than an acre to over $150,000 for a larger 6-acre plot. Most options come with city sewer hookups — the rare luxury in a place as remote as Cameron. Few holdouts continue to live in Cameron full-time, weathering all four seasons in raised mobile homes or Acadian cottages. Most are priced between $100,000 and $300,000, although their inventory is low.
Many of the residents of Cameron come and go with the work at the local plants.
Many homes on the outskirts of home sit on large lots in Cameron.
1/2
Boat ramps, beaches and birds on the Creole Nature Trail
Though remote, Cameron's vast wetlands and cheniers (sandy, shelly beach ridges) make it one of Southwest Louisiana's best regions for bird watching and outdoor adventure. Part of the Creole Nature Trail, the scenic byway leads to a few well-trodden destinations, including the Peveto Woods Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary, popular with wildlife enthusiasts eying songbirds, Monarch butterflies and other migratory species. Off-roading, swimming and seashell collecting are popular at the beach, and boat ramps offer access to the water — a way of life for Cameron's many shrimpers and crabbers. Back on land, the Cameron Rec Center has a baseball diamond, plus indoor options including a food court for rain delays. Cameron also has its own library branch, although it closed and was expected to reopen sometime in 2024.
The Creole Nature Trail runs through Cameron and is a great way to explore the local beauty.
Take a walk along the Pintail Boardwalk near Cameron to see the abundant wildlife.
1/2
The Little Dribblers junior basketball league
Students in Cameron attend South Cameron High School, a K-12 institution with a Niche score of C-plus. The average class size is seven students per teacher, well below the national average of 17. The school provides transportation and has an active athletics department, including the Little Dribblers junior basketball league.
Gumbo cook-offs and oyster shucking at the Fur and & Wildlife Festival
In 2024, Cameron's high-water mark returned when the annual Fur and & Wildlife Festival arrived after a pandemic- and hurricane-related hiatus. For 65 years, the festival and its parade have drawn large crowds to Cameron during the first week of January. Locals brave the cold to showcase their sportsmanship and Creole heritage, with trap shooting competitions, a gumbo cook-off and an oyster shucking contest. Live music, a carnival and a 5k race are staple traditions.
Ferry rides and offroad vehicles
Living in Cameron requires a car. LA-27 is the only way in or out of Cameron, but traffic is rare. Many roads in Cameron are rugged, muddy or completely unpaved, so off-road capabilities are highly recommended. Additionally, the Calcasieu Ship Channel slices LA-27 in half, making anything to the west accessible only by ferry service, which runs 24 hours a day.
The Cameron Ferry II shuttles drivers across the Calcasieu River in and out of Cameron.
Many residents of Cameron ride motorcycles and many riders pass through Camron for the views.
1/2
Lighthouse Bend brings new opportunities and amenities
Country roads cut through the shimmering marshes, dotted with small food markets and yard signs directing passersby to roadside huts selling seafood and bait. Residents typically head north to Lake Charles proper for nightlife, doctor visits and shopping. Locals regularly drive as far north as Grand Lake for a taste at their favorite bars, such as Fred's Lounge. However, the 2024 opening of Lighthouse Bend — an RV resort built by Venture Global, anchored by a 14-slip marina — brought a dynamic change to Cameron. Whereas locals previously had to drive some 40 miles to reach a supermarket in Grand Lake, the market and restaurant in Lighthouse Bend added newer, closer options. Nevertheless, Cameron still isn't a commercial corridor, especially since many businesses left amid the ongoing hurricane recovery.
The new Lighthouse Bend restaurant serves up signature Louisiana specialties in Cameron.
Anchors Up Grill serves up delicious shrimp poboys.
1/2
Things to consider
Cameron residents live mired in the constant battle of solid ground versus water. The area is extremely prone to coastal flooding, mostly due to storm surges, coastal erosion and wetland depletion, some of it natural, some man-made. Practically every square inch is a flood zone — a safety hazard as well as a financial storm. "If you've had multiple losses, insurance companies refuse to cover you anymore," Cormier says. "It's hard to get a policy within Cameron Parish."
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Parcel available for development on a corner lot. Close to Cameron Parish government activity and a short distance to the water. All measurements are more or less.
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Steve Rackley,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
637
Median Age
45
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
19.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$49,166
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,605
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.1%
College Graduates
35.3%
Advanced Degrees
8.7%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
45.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
58''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
32/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
