ALICE IN HAMILTON COUNTY
2017 Point-in-Time Data

Population: 361,613 • Number of Households: 145,071
Median Household Income: $51,302 (state average: $51,340)
Unemployment Rate: 3.7% (state average: 4.9%)
ALICE Households: 26% (state average: 24%) • Households in Poverty: 13% (state average: 15%)

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 (the
ALICE Threshold). Combined,
the number of ALICE and
poverty-level households equals
the total population struggling to
afford basic needs. The number
of households below the ALICE
Threshold changes over time;
households move in and out of
poverty and ALICE status as their
circumstances improve or worsen.
The recovery, which started in
2010, has been uneven across the
state. Conditions have improved
for some families, but with rising
costs, many still find themselves
struggling.

Households by Income, 2010 to 2017

What types of households
are struggling?

Household Types by Income, 2017

The way Americans live is
changing. There are many different
family and living combinations —
more than ever before. More adults
are living alone, with roommates,
or with their parents. Families
with children are changing: There
are more non-married cohabiting
parents, same-sex parents, and
blended families with remarried
parents. The number of senior
households is also increasing. Yet
all types of households continue
to struggle: ALICE and povertylevel households exist across all of
these living arrangements.

470651

160,000
140,000

145,071
135,731

135,387

136,427

63%

63%

61%

23%

23%

23%

26%

14%

14%

16%

13%

2010

2012

2014

2017

Households

120,000
100,000

61%

80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
Poverty

ALICE

Above ALICE Threshold

470652

80,000

75,714

70,000
60,000

Households

TENNESSEE ALICE REPORT, 2019 • UNITED WAYS OF TENNESSEE

How has the number of ALICE households changed over time?

50,000

59%
38,246

40,000
31,111
30,000
20,000

57%
27%

72%

14%

12%
16%

Single or Cohabiting

Families With Children

10,000
0
Poverty

ALICE

36%
7%

65 and Over

Above ALICE Threshold

 Why do so many households struggle?
The cost of living continues to increase…
The Household Survival Budget reflects the bare minimum that a household needs
to live and work today. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals
like college. In 2017, costs were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $12,060
for a single adult and $24,600 for a family of four. Family costs increased by 23
percent statewide from 2010 to 2017, compared to 12 percent inflation nationally.

Household Survival Budget, Hamilton County

Monthly Costs
Housing

Total HH

% ALICE &
Poverty

Apison CDP

1,095

31%

Chattanooga

75,985

47%

Collegedale

3,628

39%

East Ridge

8,813

45%

Fairmount CDP

946

20%

Falling Water CDP

539

45%

Flat Top Mountain
CDP

189

41%

Town

Harrison CDP

2 ADULTS, 1 INFANT,
1 PRESCHOOLER

SINGLE ADULT

Hamilton County, 2017

$562

$822

$–

$989

Food

$179

$543

Transportation

$322

Health Care
Technology

2,999

27%

Lakesite

703

27%

Lookout Mountain

749

15%

Middle Valley CDP

4,568

26%

Mowbray Mountain
CDP

647

35%

273

62%

Red Bank

5,622

50%

Ridgeside

232

9%

$644

Sale Creek CDP

986

41%

$124

$529

Signal Mountain

3,051

15%

$55

$75

Soddy-Daisy

5,456

45%

718

23%

Miscellaneous

$153

$414

Taxes

$285

$536

Child Care

Monthly Total
ANNUAL TOTAL
Hourly Wage

$1,680

$4,552

$20,160

$54,624

$10.08

$27.31

Ooltewah CDP

Walden

…and wages lag behind
Employment and wages vary by location; firms generally pay higher wages in
areas with a higher cost of living, although those wages still do not always cover
basic needs. Employment and wages also vary by firm size: Large firms tend
to offer higher wages and more job stability; smaller businesses can account
for more jobs overall, especially in rural areas, but may pay less and offer less
stability. Medium-size firms pay more but typically employ the fewest workers.

470653

120,000
Firm Size by
Number of
Employees

Number of Jobs

100,000
80,000

500+

$43,716

60,000
40,000

$44,856

250-499
50-249
$45,552

20-49
0-19

$40,656

20,000
$36,648

0
Small Firms

Large Firms

Sources: 2017 Point-in-Time Data: American Community Survey, 2017. ALICE Demographics: ALICE
Threshold, 2017; American Community Survey, 2017. Wages: BLS, 2017. Budget: BLS, 2017; Consumer
Reports, 2017; HUD, 2017; IRS, 2017; Tax Foundation, 2017; Tennessee Department of Human Services, 2018;
USDA, 2017.

Note: Municipal-level data on this page is 1- or
5-year averages for Incorporated Places. Totals
will not match county-level numbers because some
places cross county borders, data is not available for
the smallest places, and county-level data is often
1-year estimates.

TENNESSEE ALICE REPORT, 2019 • UNITED WAYS OF TENNESSEE

Private-Sector Employment by Firm Size With Average Annual Wages, 2017

 ALICE IN MARION COUNTY
2017 Point-in-Time Data

Population: 28,355 • Number of Households: 11,393
Median Household Income: $45,366 (state average: $51,340)
Unemployment Rate: 6.0% (state average: 4.9%)
ALICE Households: 21% (state average: 24%) • Households in Poverty: 19% (state average: 15%)

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 (the
ALICE Threshold). Combined,
the number of ALICE and
poverty-level households equals
the total population struggling to
afford basic needs. The number
of households below the ALICE
Threshold changes over time;
households move in and out of
poverty and ALICE status as their
circumstances improve or worsen.
The recovery, which started in
2010, has been uneven across the
state. Conditions have improved
for some families, but with rising
costs, many still find themselves
struggling.

Households by Income, 2010 to 2017

What types of households
are struggling?

Household Types by Income, 2017

The way Americans live is
changing. There are many different
family and living combinations —
more than ever before. More adults
are living alone, with roommates,
or with their parents. Families
with children are changing: There
are more non-married cohabiting
parents, same-sex parents, and
blended families with remarried
parents. The number of senior
households is also increasing. Yet
all types of households continue
to struggle: ALICE and povertylevel households exist across all of
these living arrangements.

471151

12,000

11,230

11,078

11,282

11,393

55%

58%

57%

60%

25%

24%

21%

20%

17%

19%

19%

2010

2012

2014

2017

10,000

Households

8,000

6,000

4,000

25%

2,000

0
Poverty

ALICE

Above ALICE Threshold

471152

6,000
5,056
5,000

4,000

Households

TENNESSEE ALICE REPORT, 2019 • UNITED WAYS OF TENNESSEE

How has the number of ALICE households changed over time?

3,389

61%

2,948

3,000
53%

63%

2,000
24%

1,000

31%

6%
31%

15%

16%

0

Single or Cohabiting
Poverty

Families With Children
ALICE

65 and Over

Above ALICE Threshold

 Why do so many households struggle?
The cost of living continues to increase…
The Household Survival Budget reflects the bare minimum that a household needs
to live and work today. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals
like college. In 2017, costs were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $12,060
for a single adult and $24,600 for a family of four. Family costs increased by 23
percent statewide from 2010 to 2017, compared to 12 percent inflation nationally.

Marion County, 2017
Town

Total HH

% ALICE &
Poverty

Jasper

1,198

30%

Kimball

574

31%

Monteagle

664

43%

New Hope

336

29%

Powells Crossroads

567

24%

1,256

53%

919

58%

South Pittsburg

Household Survival Budget, Marion County

Whitwell

2 ADULTS, 1 INFANT,
1 PRESCHOOLER

SINGLE ADULT
Monthly Costs
Housing

$562

$822

$–

$833

Food

$179

$543

Transportation

$322

$644

Health Care

$124

$529

Child Care

Technology

$55

$75

Miscellaneous

$153

$392

Taxes

$285

$476

Monthly Total
ANNUAL TOTAL
Hourly Wage

$1,680

$4,314

$20,160

$51,768

$10.08

$25.88

…and wages lag behind
Employment and wages vary by location; firms generally pay higher wages in
areas with a higher cost of living, although those wages still do not always cover
basic needs. Employment and wages also vary by firm size: Large firms tend
to offer higher wages and more job stability; smaller businesses can account
for more jobs overall, especially in rural areas, but may pay less and offer less
stability. Medium-size firms pay more but typically employ the fewest workers.

471153

4,000
3,500

Firm Size by
Number of
Employees

$37,368

Number of Jobs

3,000
2,500

500+

$45,780

250-499
50-249

2,000
1,500

20-49

$30,216

0-19

$37,236
1,000
500

$28,764

0
Small Firms

Large Firms

Sources: 2017 Point-in-Time Data: American Community Survey, 2017. ALICE Demographics: ALICE
Threshold, 2017; American Community Survey, 2017. Wages: BLS, 2017. Budget: BLS, 2017; Consumer
Reports, 2017; HUD, 2017; IRS, 2017; Tax Foundation, 2017; Tennessee Department of Human Services, 2018;
USDA, 2017.

Note: Municipal-level data on this page is 1- or
5-year averages for Incorporated Places. Totals
will not match county-level numbers because some
places cross county borders, data is not available for
the smallest places, and county-level data is often
1-year estimates.

TENNESSEE ALICE REPORT, 2019 • UNITED WAYS OF TENNESSEE

Private-Sector Employment by Firm Size With Average Annual Wages, 2017

 ALICE IN RHEA COUNTY
2017 Point-in-Time Data

Population: 32,478 • Number of Households: 12,607
Median Household Income: $39,368 (state average: $51,340)
Unemployment Rate: 7.9% (state average: 4.9%)
ALICE Households: 25% (state average: 24%) • Households in Poverty: 22% (state average: 15%)

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 (the
ALICE Threshold). Combined,
the number of ALICE and
poverty-level households equals
the total population struggling to
afford basic needs. The number
of households below the ALICE
Threshold changes over time;
households move in and out of
poverty and ALICE status as their
circumstances improve or worsen.
The recovery, which started in
2010, has been uneven across the
state. Conditions have improved
for some families, but with rising
costs, many still find themselves
struggling.

Households by Income, 2010 to 2017

What types of households
are struggling?

Household Types by Income, 2017

The way Americans live is
changing. There are many different
family and living combinations —
more than ever before. More adults
are living alone, with roommates,
or with their parents. Families
with children are changing: There
are more non-married cohabiting
parents, same-sex parents, and
blended families with remarried
parents. The number of senior
households is also increasing. Yet
all types of households continue
to struggle: ALICE and povertylevel households exist across all of
these living arrangements.

471431

14,000
12,000

11,608

12,307

12,051

12,607

Households

10,000
8,000

51%

53%

27%

25%

21%

22%

22%

2012

2014

2017

55%

56%

25%

23%

20%
2010

6,000

4,000
2,000
0

Poverty

ALICE

Above ALICE Threshold

471432

7,000
6,000

5,759

5,000

Households

TENNESSEE ALICE REPORT, 2019 • UNITED WAYS OF TENNESSEE

How has the number of ALICE households changed over time?

4,000

51%

3,770
3,078

3,000
2,000

55%
57%

29%

10%

1,000

29%

20%

33%

Single or Cohabiting

Families With Children

16%

0
Poverty

ALICE

65 and Over

Above ALICE Threshold

 ALICE IN SEQUATCHIE COUNTY
2017 Point-in-Time Data

Population: 14,654 • Number of Households: 5,505
Median Household Income: $51,312 (state average: $51,340)
Unemployment Rate: 7.8% (state average: 4.9%)
ALICE Households: 29% (state average: 24%) • Households in Poverty: 15% (state average: 15%)

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 (the
ALICE Threshold). Combined,
the number of ALICE and
poverty-level households equals
the total population struggling to
afford basic needs. The number
of households below the ALICE
Threshold changes over time;
households move in and out of
poverty and ALICE status as their
circumstances improve or worsen.
The recovery, which started in
2010, has been uneven across the
state. Conditions have improved
for some families, but with rising
costs, many still find themselves
struggling.

Households by Income, 2010 to 2017

What types of households
are struggling?

Household Types by Income, 2017

The way Americans live is
changing. There are many different
family and living combinations —
more than ever before. More adults
are living alone, with roommates,
or with their parents. Families
with children are changing: There
are more non-married cohabiting
parents, same-sex parents, and
blended families with remarried
parents. The number of senior
households is also increasing. Yet
all types of households continue
to struggle: ALICE and povertylevel households exist across all of
these living arrangements.

471531

6,000

5,635

5,493

5,505

5,083
5,000

Households

4,000

49%

56%

50%

56%

3,000

2,000

30%

31%

20%

20%

18%

15%

2010

2012

2014

2017

26%

29%

1,000

0
Poverty

ALICE

Above ALICE Threshold

471532

2,500

2,293

2,000

Households

TENNESSEE ALICE REPORT, 2019 • UNITED WAYS OF TENNESSEE

How has the number of ALICE households changed over time?

1,658

1,554

59%
1,500

55%

55%
1,000

500

29%

18%
39%
27%

12%

6%

0

Single or Cohabiting
Poverty

Families With Children
ALICE

65 and Over

Above ALICE Threshold

 Why do so many households struggle?
The cost of living continues to increase…
The Household Survival Budget reflects the bare minimum that a household needs
to live and work today. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals
like college. In 2017, costs were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $12,060
for a single adult and $24,600 for a family of four. Family costs increased by 23
percent statewide from 2010 to 2017, compared to 12 percent inflation nationally.

Sequatchie County, 2017
Town

Total HH

% ALICE &
Poverty

Dunlap

1,880

46%

376

33%

Lone Oak CDP

Household Survival Budget, Sequatchie County
2 ADULTS, 1 INFANT,
1 PRESCHOOLER

SINGLE ADULT
Monthly Costs
Housing

$562

$822

$–

$833

Food

$179

$543

Transportation

$322

$644

Health Care

$124

$529

Child Care

Technology

$55

$75

Miscellaneous

$153

$392

Taxes

$285

$476

Monthly Total
ANNUAL TOTAL
Hourly Wage

$1,680

$4,314

$20,160

$51,768

$10.08

$25.88

…and wages lag behind
Employment and wages vary by location; firms generally pay higher wages in
areas with a higher cost of living, although those wages still do not always cover
basic needs. Employment and wages also vary by firm size: Large firms tend
to offer higher wages and more job stability; smaller businesses can account
for more jobs overall, especially in rural areas, but may pay less and offer less
stability. Medium-size firms pay more but typically employ the fewest workers.

471533

1,600
1,400

Firm Size by
Number of
Employees

$39,468

Number of Jobs

1,200
$25,368

500+

1,000

800

250-499
50-249

$29,664

20-49

600

0-19

400
200

$26,616

$31,236

0
Small Firms

Large Firms

Sources: 2017 Point-in-Time Data: American Community Survey, 2017. ALICE Demographics: ALICE
Threshold, 2017; American Community Survey, 2017. Wages: BLS, 2017. Budget: BLS, 2017; Consumer
Reports, 2017; HUD, 2017; IRS, 2017; Tax Foundation, 2017; Tennessee Department of Human Services, 2018;
USDA, 2017.

Note: Municipal-level data on this page is 1- or
5-year averages for Incorporated Places. Totals
will not match county-level numbers because some
places cross county borders, data is not available for
the smallest places, and county-level data is often
1-year estimates.

TENNESSEE ALICE REPORT, 2019 • UNITED WAYS OF TENNESSEE

Private-Sector Employment by Firm Size With Average Annual Wages, 2017