Who is ALICE in Wapello County?
Essential, Working, Struggling: ALICE stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed— households earning more than the federal poverty line but not enough to afford necessities in their local area.
17% of households live in poverty
27% are ALICE households
That means 44% of households—nearly half—fall below the ALICE Threshold and cannot afford basic needs like housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology.
ALICE Households:
Span all races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities, though households of color are disproportionately ALICE
Include workers whose wages cannot keep up with the rising cost of goods and services
Often include those who are working two or more jobs and still cannot pay their bills
Include family members who need care and assistance, which makes it harder for their caregivers to find adequate work
Live paycheck to paycheck and are forced to make impossible choices: pay the rent or buy food, receive medical care or pay for childcare, pay utility bills or put gas in the car
Are part of every community nationwide
ALICE may be your relative, friend, colleague, or neighbor, or you might be ALICE. ALICE may also be your health care provider, teacher, retail clerk, sanitation worker, and others.
ALICE workers are the backbone of our economy, with the pandemic making it crystal clear just how much we need them.
Why It Matters
These families are at the heart of our local economy—our neighbors, friends, service workers, educators, and caregivers. Even though they contribute tirelessly to our communities, they remain one emergency away from financial hardship.
When nearly half of Wapello households cannot meet basic needs, everyone in the community is affected.
Our Strategy: United Is the Way
Data-Grounded Advocacy for Wapello
We leverage county‑level ALICE data to inform tailored local action.Local Collaboration
We build bridges between United Ways of Iowa, community leaders, educators, employers, and nonprofits across Wapello to coordinate meaningful, sustained impact.Hands-On Solutions
From expanding access to affordable child care and transportation to supporting livable wages and emergency funds, our county‑specific approach ensures that interventions reach those who need them.
Call to Action: Join the Movement
Whether you're a community leader, policymaker, employer, or neighbor—your involvement matters. When United is the Way, we lift up Wapello County together.
Get involved:
Share this data with your networks
Partner with us to expand affordable services
Advocate for sustainable policies that support ALICE households in Wapello County
Meet ALICE
