ALICE Poverty Level Report

United For ALICE is a driver of innovation, research, and action to improve life across the country for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and for all. Through the development of the ALICE measurements, a comprehensive, unbiased picture of financial hardship has emerged. The ALICE poverty level raises awareness about a huge but hidden segment of our community that is struggling to afford basic necessities. The success of a community is directly related to the financial stability of its members. In New York State, 34% of households are considered ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)—earning above the Federal Poverty Level (for example, $31,200 annually for a family of four in 2024) but still unable to afford basic necessities. When combined with households living in poverty, nearly 48% of New York households face financial hardship

ALICE places a spotlight on a large population of hardworking people who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings — and are one emergency from falling into poverty. ALICE represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. Tri-County United Way supports this often-overlooked population group through all of our programs.

ALICE Works Hard, But It’s Not Enough
A key contributor to the number of ALICE households in New York is the fundamental mismatch between the cost of living and what jobs pay

Top Occupations Below ALICE Threshold: Elementary and Middle School Teachers, Personal Care Aides, Retail Salespersons, Operations Managers, Registered Nurses, Fast Food and Counter Workers, Cashiers, Customer Service Reps, Sales/Truck Drivers, Office Clerk, Security Guards, Repair Workers,, and more.  Learn more about work at the United For ALICE Labor Force page.

Financial Hardship in Our Communities

Financial Hardship Has Changed Over Time in Warren County

In 2024, 26.8% of the population in Warren County was below the ALICE threshold.

Financial Hardship Has Changed Over Time in Washington County

In 2024, 42% of the population in Washington County was below the ALICE threshold.

Financial Hardship Has Changed Over Time in Saratoga County

In 2024, 23% of the population in Saratoga County was below the ALICE threshold.

To view a break down of Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga Counties ALICE populations, click here: New York | UnitedForALICE.

Alice Report Key Takeaways

The ALICE report contains a wealth of information which is easily accessed and shared. ALICE data is available is many subsets including: data by county, legislative (federal and state) districts, household composition, ethnicity, gender, and age.

  • In 2024, 30,935 households in Warren County were within the ALICE Threshold.
  • In 2024, 24,469 households in Washington County were within the ALICE Threshold.
  • In 2024, 32% of households were living within the ALICE threshold within Washington County.
  • In 2024, 28% of households were living within the ALICE threshold within Warren County.
  • In 2024, 23% of households were living within the ALICE threshold within Saratoga County.
  • In 2024, households earning less than $59,969 annually are considered ALICE in Warren County.
  • In 2024, households earning less than $68,850 annually are considered ALICE in Washington County.
  • In 2024, households earning less than $56,339 annually are considered ALICE in Saratoga County.
  • 52% of full-time workers did not earn enough to afford the ALICE Household Survival Budget for one adult and one school-age child.
  • In New York, the ALICE Household Survival Budget was $37,956 for a single adult and $102,540 for a family of four with two adults, an infant, and a preschooler.

About United For ALICE

United For ALICE is a driver of innovation, shining a light on the challenges ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households face and finding collaborative solutions. Through a standardized methodology that assesses the cost of living in every county, this project provides a comprehensive measure of financial hardship across the U.S. Equipped with this data, ALICE partners convene, advocate, and innovate in their local communities to highlight the issues faced by ALICE households and to generate solutions that promote financial stability.

The grassroots movement represents United Ways, corporations, nonprofits and foundations in Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin; we are United For ALICE. For more information, visit: UnitedForALICE.org.