Who is ALICE?
ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
These are 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.
The ALICE reports tell the story of our community members who are working hard but still struggling to survive. ALICE households and households in poverty are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent – choices that have long-term consequences not only for their families but for all.
Read the interactive ALICE Report
Download the 2024 ALICE in the Crosscurrents: An Update on Financial Hardship in South Carolina
Download the 2023 Horry County Snapshot
Download the 2023 South Carolina ALICE Report
UNITE FOR ALICE
28% of Horry County residents are under the ALICE threshold and struggling with regular financial crises without the resources they need to succeed. With your help, we can help these families reach financial stability.
Key Terms
Household Survival Budget: The bare minimum costs of basic necessities (housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and a smartphone plan).
ALICE Threshold: The average income needed to afford the Household Survival Budget. Households below the ALICE Threshold include both ALICE and poverty-level households.
ALICE: Households with income above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost of living.
Poverty: Households earning below the Federal Poverty Level
Total Households: The number of households as reported by the American Community Survey.
ALICE in Horry County
2023 Point-in-Time-Data
Population: 397,478
Number of Households: 168,080
Median Household Income: $68,988 (state average: $67,804)
Labor Force Participation Rate:
53% (state average: 61%)
ALICE Households: 28% (state average 28%)
Households in Poverty: 13% (state average 14%)
Supporting ALICE
United Ways across the country are working to mobilize their communities to champion ALICE families through policy and programs. Here in Horry County, UWHC is working and collaborating with partners to support ALICE families by:
- helping families to become self-sufficient
- providing families with resources to help children become well-prepared for Kindergarten
- providing free counseling services to Horry County residents
For more information on ALICE, please contact Katie Wise at Katie@unitedwayhorry.org.
