ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running.
Meet ALICE
ALICE earns more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than what it costs to make ends meet and afford the basics like housing, transportation, food and child care. You may already know ALICE as a friend, a neighbor, a child's daycare teacher, a restaurant server or a receptionist at a doctor's office.
In Pickens County, 5 out of 10 households fall below the ALICE threshold.
More than 27,000 Pickens County households (52%) live below the ALICE threshold.
Federal Poverty Level 4-person household under $31,200 annual income
Estimated Survival Budget 4-person household under $68,000 annual income
Above the ALICE Threshold 4-person household over $77,000 annual income
Pickens County has a 15% poverty rate (SC average 14%), but 37% of households in Pickens County are ALICE (SC average 30%). When you combine these two statistics, it means that 52% of Pickens County are under the ALICE threshold. Over half of our families struggle to secure life’s essentials.
In Pickens County:
69% of ALICE households that rent are rent burdened. This means that rent occupies too much of their monthly budget.
53% of ALICE households do not have high speed internet.
47% of ALICE individuals work full time and can't afford the essentials.
Measuring the Economic Well-being of ALICE
As a United for ALICE partner, United Way of Pickens County has access to robust data about the state of ALICE in our community.
The ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard reveals the economic and community conditions of people who are struggling financially — those below the ALICE Threshold. This includes people in households with income below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and those who are ALICE, with income above the FPL but below the cost of basics.
By studying ALICE households as well as those in poverty, United For ALICE research shows the true extent of financial hardship across the country. The ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard builds on this research, exploring why so many households are struggling, with new data on ALICE work, housing, and community resources.
You can take a deep dive into the data by clicking this link. You may find it helpful to start by taking the Dashboard Tour to learn more about the tools.
You can also take a closer look at Pickens County by choosing Pickens from the drop-down menu in the County Report.
How You Can Help ALICE
United Way of Pickens County is paving the way to financial stability for ALICE individuals and families. With your support and our expansive network of nonprofit partners, volunteers and donors, and direct services like Pathways, we can support and connect ALICE to immediate assistance programs that open opportunities for long-term change.
ALICE In the News
How to know if you're an ALICE: You're barely paying your bills but don't qualify for government assistance. Business Insider, May 22, 2024
Despite Bigger Paychecks, Struggling Households in Pickens County Continue to Increase. New ALICE Update shows wage growth was no match for inflation after a decade of falling behind, May 22, 2024
More and more Americans are becoming 'ALICEs.' They can't afford rent and groceries but are falling through the cracks in the country's safety net. Business Insider, April 18, 2024
Editorial: Welcome spotlight on a challenge facing many South Carolinians The Post and Courier, November 7, 2023
Groundbreaking study reveals one in two Pickens County households struggled to afford basics in 2021 United Way of Pickens County Press Release, November 2, 2023
Households seem to never get ahead. We aim to change that. The Post and Courier, November 2, 2023
Study: In 43 percent of SC households a 'survival budget' is out of reach The Post and Courier, November 2, 2023
Nearly half of SC residents struggle to afford basic necessities, data shows Live 5 News, November 2, 2023