The ALICE Project
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What is ALICE?
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county. Households below the ALICE Threshold — ALICE households plus those in poverty — can’t afford the essentials.
ALICE in Butler County
| 2024 Point-in-Time-Data | |
| Population: 399,542 Number of Households: 148,854 | |
| Median Household Income: $80,423 (state average: $72,212) | |
| Labor Force Participation Rate: 65% (state average: 64%) | |
| ALICE Households: 23% (state average 23%) Households in Poverty: 13% (state average 13%) | |
Financial Hardship Has Changed Over Time in Butler County
As circumstances change, households may find themselves below or above the ALICE Threshold at different times.
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Financial Hardship is Not Equally Distributed
By total number, groups with the largest population of households below the ALICE Threshold tend to also be in the largest demographic groups. However, when looking at the proportion of each group that is below the ALICE Threshold, it is clear that some groups are more likely to be ALICE than others.
There were also differences in financial hardship by household type and age of householder.
The Cost of Basics Outpaces Wages
The Household Survival Budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in the current economy and includes housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement. In 2024, household costs in every county in Ohio were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four.
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Financial Hardship Varies by Location in Butler County
There is substantial variation in the number of households who live below the ALICE Threshold within the county. Explore the map and table below to learn more. The map is shaded to show the percentage of households that are below the ALICE Threshold (poverty-level and ALICE households combined). The darker the blue, the higher the percentage.
Measuring Economic Well-Being for ALICE
