Who is ALICE?
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed - While ALICE may earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, their income is not high enough to afford basic household necessities.
With the cost of living higher than what most people earn, ALICE households live in every county in Tennessee - urban, suburban, and rural - and they include women and men, young and old, of all races and ethnicities.
United Ways of Tennessee launched the ALICE data project to provide a comprehensive measure of financial hardship across our state.
The ALICE reports tell the story of our community members who are working hard but still struggling to survive. ALICE is our neighbor, our friend, our family.
Click here for a breakdown of every county in Tennessee.
2021 Point-in-Time-Data
Population:
53,065
Median Household Income:
$51,253 (state average: $59,695)
Labor Force Participation Rate:
55% (state average: 61%)
ALICE Households:
28% (state average 30%)
Households in Poverty:
15% (state average 13%)
2021 Point-in-Time-Data
Population:
12,622
Median Household Income:
$54,420 (state average: $59,695)
Labor Force Participation Rate:
51% (state average: 61%)
ALICE Households:
25% (state average 30%)
Households in Poverty:
16% (state average 13%)
When ALICE thrives, we all thrive.
When families are not making enough money to make ends meet, they have to make tough choices about which basic necessities they prioritize. Those decisions affect not just ALICE but our whole community. When basic needs are being met, it leads to greater financial stability, leaves more time to spend with loved ones and giving back to the community, and increases overall levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
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