What if working full-time still meant choosing between rent and groceries? That’s the daily reality for more than 30% of Tennesseans—a group we call ALICE, short for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are the essential workers, caregivers, and service providers who keep our communities running—but can’t always afford to live in them.
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE)
Across Tennessee, people who are living above the poverty line still struggle to afford the basics: transportation, housing, food, medicine, childcare.
According to the latest United for ALICE data, 44% of Tennessee households live below the ALICE threshold,[CS1] [KW2] unable to cover basic needs like housing, food, child care, and healthcare. Even in economically thriving counties like Williamson, nearly 1 in 3 households are struggling. In counties like Hickman, it’s 50%.
United Way of Greater Nashville (UWGN) is sounding the alarm: ALICE is not just a statistic—it’s your neighbor, your barista, your child’s caregiver. And their financial instability affects all of us.
ALICE households and households in poverty are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent — choices that have long-term consequences not only for their families, but for all.
View Tennessee County Specific Data including Household Survival Budgets.
Here’s a look at 2023 statistics for the counties in our nine-county footprint:
| County | % ALICE + Poverty |
| Cheatham | 40% |
| Davidson | 41% |
| Dickson | 43% |
| Hickman | 50% |
| Houston | 48% |
| Montgomery | 38% |
| Robertson | 44% |
| Stewart | 43% |
| Williamson | 30% |
“Around your community, you see an ALICE individual everywhere you look. They are at the grocery store, childcare center, doctor’s office, and favorite eatery. Our neighbors struggle to make ends meet yet work hard daily. UWGN is committed to serving these individuals and connecting them with resources so each person can realize a state of thriving, rather than crisis,” said Tracey Dill, Chief Community Impact Officer, UWGN.
The vital role we and our partners play
United for ALICE partners with United Way of Tennessee to bring this research to light, and the work is sponsored by the Tennessee Afterschool Network.
Across the nation, nonprofit, public, and private partners are banding together to drive system-level support for ALICE. To learn more about TN’s Report Card and the action steps you can take to support ALICE families please visit unitedforalice.org/tennessee.
Kris Wiese, Director of Communications, United Way of Greater Nashville –
