ALICE

ALICE. Working Hard. Falling Short.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who are working, paying their bills, but still struggling to afford the rising cost of basics. 

Across Northwest Indiana, thousands of households are making difficult choices between housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, and other essentials. ALICE data helps us understand the challenges families face and build solutions that will help them thrive.

ALICE in Northwest Indiana

Nearly 40% of households in Northwest Indiana are ALICE, earning above the federal poverty level but still are one missed paycheck, an unexpected medical bill, or broken-down car away from falling behind. 

Lake County

Population: 502,955
Number of Households: 198,738
Median Household Income: $73,959 
Labor Force Participation Rates: ALICE Households: 28%; Households in Poverty: 13%
Below ALICE Threshold: 41%

Porter County

Population: 175,860
Number of Households: 69,349
Median Household Income: $86,281
Labor Force Participation Rates: ALICE Households: 22%; Households in Poverty: 10%
Below ALICE Threshold: 32%

Newton County

Population: 13,922
Number of Households: 5,726
Median Household Income: $75,481
Labor Force Participation Rates: ALICE Households: 25%; Households in Poverty: 14%
Below ALICE Threshold: 39%

Jasper County

Population: 33,234
Number of Households: 12,755
Median Household Income: $77,314
Labor Force Participation Rates: ALICE Households: 31%; Households in Poverty: 9%
Below ALICE Threshold: 40%

Starke County

Population: 23,365
Number of Households: 8,963
Median Household Income: $63,960
Labor Force Participation Rates: ALICE Households: 27%; Households in Poverty: 15%
Below ALICE Threshold: 42%

Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2010-2024; American Community Survey, 2010-2024

The ALICE Measures

In 2024, based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), 12% of Indiana households were defined as being in poverty. Yet this measure did not account for an additional 26% of the state's households that were also in financial hardship. These are ALICE households, earning above the FPL, but not enough to afford basic expenses in the county where they live.

The ALICE Measures, developed by United For ALICE, present a more comprehensive picture of financial hardship by including ALICE households, those with income above the FPL, but below the cost of basics. The two pillars of the ALICE measures are household costs and income. The ALICE Household Survival Budget estimates the cost of household basics, housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology, plus taxes. For household income, ALICE measures rely on the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), both household tabulated data and individual data from the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) records. Households with income below the Household Survival Budget for their household type and county are below the ALICE Threshold, including both households in poverty and ALICE households. 

Understanding ALICE

Explore what it means to live on the edge of financial hardship, learn more about the challenges ALICE households face across Northwest Indiana, and discover how everyday expenses can shape a family's ability to make ends meet.

Our Commitment to ALICE

United Way Northwest Indiana is committed to supporting ALICE households by connecting individuals and families to resources, opportunities, and programs that help build financial stability and long-term success. 

United for ALICE

Founded by the United Way of Northern New Jersey, United For ALICE is a driver of innovation, research, and action to improve life across the country for ALICE and for all. Click the link below to learn more about United For ALICE, see the latest on financial hardship in your community and across the nation, and more.