ALICE in Western Kentucky

WHO IS ALICE?

Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed

ALICE represents individuals and households who earn just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. ALICE workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin while keeping our communities running; ALICE is your childcare worker, cashier, home health aide, office assistant or general laborer... all people who are essential to our success.

WHAT IS THE UNITED WAY ALICE INITIATIVE?

The United Way ALICE Initiative is a collaborative research effort identifying and communicating the needs of the voiceless part of our communities, allowing for local change-makers to understand, measure, and advance change to improve the lives of ALICE households, ultimately strengthening our communities.

The United Way ALICE Report Reveals:

ALICE IN ACTION

In 2023, according to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), 17% of Kentucky households were financially insecure. Yet this measure failed to account for an additional 28% of households that were also experiencing financial hardship. These households are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — with income above the FPL, but not enough to afford basic expenses in the county where they live. 

Kentucky ranks 38^th lowest rate of financial hardship in U.S.

Between ALICE households and those living in poverty, an estimated 44% of households in Kentucky were below the ALICE Threshold in 2023. Households below the Threshold are forced to make impossible choices — like deciding whether to pay for utilities or a car repair, whether to buy food or fill a prescription.

 In Our Western Kentucky Region:

Range living below the ALICE Threshold:

Ballard – 40%          Graves – 50%
Carlisle – 41%         Marshall – 39%
Hickman – 45%       McCracken – 42%
Fulton – 69%

In 2024, household costs in every county in Kentucky were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four.

The Household Survival Budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in today’s economy and includes housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and technology, plus taxes and a 10% miscellaneous category. This budget is the basis for determining whether households are above or below the ALICE Threshold by county.

What is needed for a household to survive? Click on the reports below to see what income level is needed to support families basic needs.

Kentucky ALICE - Cost of Basics Interactive Dashboard

Kentucky | United For ALICE