ALICE
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the federal poverty level but still cannot afford basic needs like housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation. In Wilkes County, ALICE represents a large and often invisible part of our community.
These are our neighbors who are working — often full time, sometimes multiple jobs — but still living paycheck to paycheck and one emergency away from financial crisis.
54%
54% of Wilkes County households are struggling
That’s 14,092 households living below the ALICE Threshold — including families in poverty and those who are working but still can’t make ends meet.
35.7%
ALICE is the largest group of struggling families
35.7% of households (9,335 families) are ALICE — earning too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to cover basic monthly expenses.
18.2%
Poverty doesn’t tell the full story
While 18.2% of households (4,757 families) live in poverty, ALICE households outnumber them almost 2 to 1.
Learn more about the State of ALICE in North Carolina at www.UnitedForAlice.org
The Real Cost of Living in Wilkes County
Even in a rural county like Wilkes, basic living expenses exceed what many full-time jobs pay.
- A household under age 65 needs $54,528 per year just to meet basic needs
- A household age 65+ still needs $49,572 per year
- These budgets include only essentials — no savings, no emergencies, no extras
Who Is ALICE?
- Childcare providers
- Retail and food service workers
- Home health aides
- Administrative staff
- Seniors on fixed incomes
- Single-parent households
- Essential workers who keep our community running
They are employed, but the cost of living has risen faster than wages, leaving many families unable to keep up.
“In Wilkes County, more than half of all households are working hard every day but still can’t afford basic necessities. ALICE is our neighbor, our coworker, and our family — and they are the heart of our community.”
Why ALICE Matters to Wilkes County
Only 46% of households in Wilkes County are financially stable. That means more than half of our community is vulnerable to setbacks like a car repair, medical bill, or missed paycheck. Supporting ALICE families strengthens our workforce, our schools, our businesses, and our local economy.
Be Part of the Solution in Wilkes
You can help ALICE families in Wilkes County by donating, volunteering, advocating, or simply learning and sharing ALICE data with others. Together, we can create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Learn more at www.UnitedForAlice.org
* Data from 2025 ALICE NC Report for Wilkes County in Link Below
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