Still navigating an economic storm, how has ALICE fared one year later and over time? Read our newest Update.
We all know people who are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — earning more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basics where they live. ALICE households and households in poverty are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent — choices that have long-term consequences not only for their families, but for all.
2024 UPDATE
2023 REPORT
Tennessee • Overview
United For ALICE calculates the cost of household essentials for all counties in Tennessee. These costs, outlined in the Household Survival Budget, are calculated for various household sizes and compositions.
Of Tennessee's 2,805,838 households in 2022…
- 13% earned below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- 30% were ALICE, in households that earned above the FPL but not enough to afford the basics in the communities where they live
- Together, 44% of households in Tennessee were below the ALICE Threshold (poverty + ALICE divided by total households)
- Above ALICE Threshold:56%
While the COVID-19 pandemic brought employment shifts, health struggles, and school/business closures, it also spurred temporary expansion of public assistance through pandemic relief measures (which then reverted to pre-pandemic levels in 2022).
In 2019, 1,211,160 households in Tennessee were below the ALICE Threshold; by 2022, that number had changed to 1,226,132.
