ALICE In Anderson County
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county. While conditions have improved for some households, many continue to struggle, especially as wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of household essentials (housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and a basic smartphone plan). Households below the ALICE Threshold — ALICE households plus those in poverty — can’t afford the essentials.
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 Anderson County, 4 out of 10 households fall below the ALICE threshold.
Financial hardship is impacted by the makeup of a household.
Age also plays a role in financial hardship with people under the age of 25 and over the age of 65 making up the highest percentage of ALICE families.
The Cost of Basics Outpaces Wages The Household Survival Budget
This budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in the current economy and includes housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement. In 2022, household costs in every County in South Carolina were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $13,590 for a single adult and $27,750 for a family of four.
Source: United For ALICE South Carolina County Report: Anderson County