A new report from United for ALICE® shows that while financial hardship has eased somewhat in Bradley and Polk Counties, thousands of local families continue to struggle to make ends meet.
According to the 2026 State of ALICE in Tennessee report, 42% of the Ocoee Region - more than 21,500 households - are living below the ALICE threshold, the minimum income needed to afford basic household necessities. The figure marks an improvement from 47% reported in the previous ALICE report, but it still means more than two out of every five households are unable to consistently afford essentials like housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and technology.
ALICE, an acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, represents working individuals and families who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still do not make enough to cover the true cost of living. Across Tennessee, 14% of households live in poverty, while another 27% fall into the ALICE category, meaning 41% of households statewide struggle to afford the basic cost of living - a figure that closely mirrors the Ocoee Region.
“The improvement in this year’s numbers is encouraging, but it doesn’t tell the whole story,” said Stephanie Linkous, President and CEO of United Way of the Ocoee Region. “Thousands of hardworking families across the Ocoee Region are still forced to make impossible choices between paying for housing, childcare, groceries, transportation, or health care. The ALICE report reminds us that having a job doesn’t always mean achieving stability.”
The report also underscores that financial hardship reaches across every corner of the community, affecting households of all ages, races, family types, and occupations. Many ALICE workers serve essential roles across health care, education, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and public safety - jobs that keep our communities functioning every day but often do not pay enough to keep up with the rising cost of living. Compounding the challenge, Tennessee’s minimum wage remains at the federal rate of $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009.
- The Household Survival Budget continues to climb. In Bradley County, a family of four with two children in childcare now needs $83,652 annually just to cover basic necessities - an increase of more than $19,000 in the past three years. A Household Stability Budget, which includes long-term financial security measures such as a 10% savings category, rises to $122,988 per year.
- Bradley County families making the median household income ($61,107) spent 40% of their monthly income last year on childcare costs alone, a significant 13% increase from the previous year.
- Single-parent households face disproportionate financial hardship. More than 3 in 4 (77%) single-parent households in Bradley County live below the ALICE threshold, meaning they are either living in poverty or are working but still unable to afford basic household expenses.
- Young adults and older adults are among the most financially vulnerable. Across the Ocoee Region, nearly 72% of households headed by someone under age 25 and 50% of households headed by someone age 65 or older fall below the ALICE threshold.
- Among the 10 largest industry sectors (by total workers) in Tennessee, financial hardship was highest in Accommodation and Food Services, with 40% of workers living in households below the ALICE threshold. By occupation, rates of financial hardship were as high as 51% for Cooks and 50% for Cashiers, two of the most common occupations in the state.
United Way of the Ocoee Region Stable Families Program
The ALICE data reinforces the importance of intentional, coordinated support for families who are working hard but still facing financial barriers. In response to these challenges, United Way of the Ocoee Region takes a two-pronged approach by strategically investing donor dollars in a network of nonprofit partners whose programs address critical community needs while also delivering direct services through its new Stable Families Program. Stable Families is leading the effort to help local households achieve greater financial stability by using data-informed strategies, personalized support, and community partnerships to address the barriers that prevent families from thriving.
Through Stable Families, a team of dedicated navigators works alongside local families to provide personalized guidance, connect them with critical resources, and help remove barriers that stand in the way of long-term stability. From emergency financial assistance and resource navigation to support accessing housing, childcare, health care, and other essential services, the Stable Families program takes a comprehensive approach to helping households move beyond immediate challenges and build a more secure future. By combining data-driven strategies with compassionate, individualized support, United Way is creating pathways that strengthen families and, ultimately, the entire Ocoee Region community.
“Behind every statistic is a family doing everything they can to build a better life,” Linkous said.
“These numbers represent teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, retail employees, and neighbors who serve our community every day. While we're inspired by the progress we’ve made, our work is far from finished. We believe stable families create stable communities, and together, we can continue building an Ocoee Region where every family has the opportunity not just to get by, but to thrive.”
To learn more about the ALICE report and its findings for Bradley and Polk Counties, visit the United for ALICE Tennessee County Reports (www.unitedforalice.org).