SO, WHO IS ALICE?
Asset Limited. Income Constrained. Employed.
By definition, ALICE families and individuals are those who make more than the federal poverty level but less than the ALICE Threshold, which is what is needed to afford the basic necessities of housing, childcare, food, transportation and health care.
We come into contact with ALICE each and every day. In fact, we probably come in contact with ALICE multiple times each and every day. ALICE brews up the coffee at the local coffee shop, freshly presses dry cleaning, tends the counter at a convenience store and even cares for the elderly and children. These hardworking individuals and families live paycheck-to-paycheck with no extra money to set aside in savings. ALICE cannot always pay the bills, has little or nothing in savings, and is forced to make tough choices such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent. One unexpected car repair or medical bill can push these financially strapped families over the edge.
The future success of our communities is directly tied to the financial stability of these fragile ALICE households.
ALICE IN DOOR COUNTY
2018 Point-in-Time Data
Population: 27,439
Number of Households: 13,196
Median Household Income: $58,287 (state average: $60,773)
Unemployment Rate: 4.0% (state average: 3.2%)
Households in ALICE & Poverty: 31% (state average: 34%)
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2018; American Community Survey, 2018
ALICE IN WISCONSIN
Between 2007 and 2018, Wisconsin experienced steady economic improvements according to traditional measures. Unemployment in the state, as well as across the U.S., fell to historic lows, GDP grew, and wages rose slightly. Yet in 2018, 34% of households still struggled to make ends meet. While 11% of these struggling households were living below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), another 23% were ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These households earned above the FPL, but not enough to afford basic household necessities.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE
MAKING TOUGH CHOICES
Can you survive for 30 days?
Making Tough Choices is an ALICE simulator, putting you in the shoes of an ALICE household. You will face obstacles such as affording childcare, finding transportation to work and putting food on the table.
