WORK FOR IMPACT

ALICE in Lane County

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households have an income above the Federal Poverty Level but still don’t make enough to afford the basics of what they need – or are just one missed paycheck, one car breakdown, one rise in monthly rent away from financial crisis.  

ALICE households make just enough money that they can’t access public assistance – but not enough for financial stability. ALICE families are often stuck in an ongoing battle between what they need and what they can afford and have to make impossible choices like whether to pay an electric bill or buy food for their family, or pay for child care in order to work more hours or work fewer hours (and make less money) to care for their child at home. 

We all know folks who live in an ALICE household and we know that no matter how hard they work, the struggle remains. Because it isn’t about people not working hard enough. There is no working hard enough, or often enough, when cost of living is rising but wages aren’t keeping up, and when systemic barriers stand in the way of getting ahead. 

ALICE IN OUR COMMUNITY

Per the most recent report from United for ALICE, as of 2023, 43% of households in Lane County live below the ALICE threshold; this includes 15% of households in poverty and 28% ALICE households.  

That’s 43% of our neighbors, colleagues, and fellow community members, including folks who serve as our community’s essential workers like home health aides, child care providers, healthcare workers, nonprofit service providers, delivery drivers, grocery store cashiers, and more. These are people we rely on to keep our families safe and in good health.  

Communities of color and people living in rural areas – two of the priority populations served by United Way of Lane County – experience ALICE at even higher rates than their neighbors. 

There is substantial variation in the number of households who live below the ALICE threshold within the county. The map here is shaded to show the percentage of households that are below the ALICE threshold (poverty-level and ALICE households combined). The darker the blue, the higher the percentage.

ALICE Over Time

Households move below or above the ALICE Threshold as economic factors and circumstances change. The line graph to the right shows the number of ALICE and poverty-level households (solid blue lines), as well as the trend over time (dotted gray lines).

The change in data from 2022 to 2023 shows that while the number of ALICE households went down, the number of households below the poverty-level increased.

Learn more about the recent ALICE report, explore interactive tools, and learn how you can advocate for ALICE at UnitedForALICE.org.