Understanding the financial difficulties faced by ALICE households in South Carolina.
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Sponsor Our ArticlesA recent report reveals that 32% of workers in South Carolina’s top occupations live below the ALICE Threshold. The situation in Greenwood County is dire, with 51% of households struggling to make ends meet. This alarming trend highlights the growing financial hardships residents are facing, with significant implications for families and children in the area.
Greenwood, South Carolina – A new report has revealed that 32% of workers in South Carolina’s 20 most common occupations, such as personal care aides, janitors, cashiers, and restaurant servers, lived in households below the ALICE Threshold in 2023. This alarming statistic, released by United Way of the Lakelands and the United For ALICE research partner, highlights a significant challenge faced by the state’s workforce.
The term “ALICE” stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed,” signifying those households who are above the poverty line but still struggle to afford basic necessities. In Greenwood County, the situation is particularly dire, with 17% of households officially classified as living in poverty. Additionally, a striking 34% of Greenwood households fall into the ALICE category, bringing the total percentage of households struggling to manage essential expenses to 51%.
A family of four in Greenwood requires at least $61,992 to cover basic living expenses in 2023. This amount is more than double the federal poverty level of $30,000. Even in cases where two parents are working full-time jobs in common occupations, their combined income still falls short by nearly $2,900 annually.
South Carolina ranks a troubling 34th in the nation regarding financial hardship, indicating a significant number of households facing difficulties in making ends meet. In Greenwood alone, financial security is particularly precarious, with 79% of the youngest households and 58% of the oldest households falling below the ALICE threshold in 2023.
The report highlights a concerning trend, noting a 36% increase in ALICE households across South Carolina from 2010 to 2023. During the same period, total households grew by 23%, and those classified as living in poverty rose by 4%. Despite these changes, the proportion of households below the ALICE threshold has remained relatively constant, fluctuating between 42% and 45% in recent years.
Housing affordability is one of the critical issues contributing to financial struggles. The report indicates that 66% of renters and 43% of homeowners living below the ALICE threshold are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. This presents a significant barrier for families striving for financial stability.
Financial instability also has profound effects on children, with the first ALICE in Focus report showing that 55% of children lived in households below the ALICE threshold, though this number decreased slightly to 53% in 2022. The number of children growing up in financial hardship increased from 609,063 in 2019 to 590,263 in 2022, underscoring the challenges faced by young families.
ALICE households are dispersed across various counties, with rates varying significantly. For instance, 21% in Charlestown Northeast, escalating to as high as 75% in some regions of Dillon and Marion counties. These disparities illustrate how financial hardship is not uniformly experienced but varies widely from one area to another.
The expansion and eventual expiration of pandemic-related public assistance programs have further influenced the financial situation of ALICE households, particularly those with children. Recognizing and addressing these complexity factors is essential for community support efforts, as underestimating the number of struggling households can lead to missed opportunities for crucial assistance and resources.
Overall, the report sheds light on a pressing social and economic issue within South Carolina, emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs of ALICE households to foster a more equitable living environment for all its residents.
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