In the Tri-County region of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, over 38% of households are working hard but still falling short of financial stability. New data from Trident United Way and its research partner United For ALICE® shows that thousands of local households, particularly those led by single parents, are living paycheck to paycheck with incomes that don’t cover the cost of basic needs in our community.
The State of ALICE in South Carolina report reveals that traditional measures of poverty have significantly undercounted the number of households experiencing financial hardship. While 14% of all households in the state lived in poverty in 2023, the new research shows that an additional 28% – twice as many – were ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Combined, 42% of South Carolina’s households fell below the ALICE Threshold of Financial Survival in 2023, a slight improvement from 43% in 2021.
In the Tri-County region, household-level data highlights the scale of challenges for local families:
Single female-headed households with children:
- Total households: 19,092
- Households below ALICE Threshold: 14,519 (76%)
Single male-headed households with children:
- Total households: 5,712
- Households below ALICE Threshold: 3,166 (55%)
These households are balancing the costs of housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare and technology, often without any financial cushion or access to public assistance.
“When we underestimate how many households are struggling, we underestimate what it truly takes to build thriving communities,” said D.J. Hampton, Trident United Way President and CEO. “This means entire families and essential workers may be overlooked for support, left without the resources they need to stay healthy, achieve financial stability and reach their fullest potential. That’s a loss not just for ALICE households, but our entire community.”
The report outlines the economic gap for ALICE families in the Tri-County region. In 2023, 38% of households—130,360 families, couldn’t afford basic needs. This includes 11% living in poverty and 27% who are ALICE. A family of four with an infant and preschooler needs $89,904 annually to meet the cost of living in the area.
The State of ALICE in South Carolina report also reveals that in 2023:
- South Carolina ranked 34th in financial hardship among all 50 states and D.C.
- Younger and older households faced the highest rates of financial strain, with 69% of the youngest and 51% of the oldest households living below the ALICE Threshold, compared to 37% of households led by someone aged 25-44.
- Housing costs remain a major burden: 66% of renters and 43% of homeowners living below the ALICE Threshold were housing cost-burdened, meaning they spent 30% or more of their income on housing.
“ALICE families are especially vulnerable during natural disasters and times of economic uncertainty and yet often feel unseen or left behind,” said Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D., National Director at United For ALICE. “By providing a name and a way to quantify these households, we’re equipping communities with the data to build solutions that offer better choices and real pathways to stability.”
More state and local data is available through the interactive dashboards on UnitedForALICE.org/SouthCaroli