In terms of data, what does economic well-being in Kentucky look like to you? Employment vs unemployment, public benefits access, housing costs, and child poverty are typically points that come to mind. Specifically for children and families, I would like to shout out the valuable information found on the KIDS COUNT Data Center, breaking down child and family economic well-being at the state and county level in several key arenas. 

However, expanding frames of reference can potentially ignite novel solutions to the socially constructed economic issues we face as a collective commonwealth. 

One vital developed frame called ALICE, which is an acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, examines those earning just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. According to the 2026 report, in 2024, an estimated 43% of households in Kentucky were below the ALICE Threshold, meaning not having enough income to afford basic needs.

Below are 10 examples of ALICE-related data:

  1. The Household Survival Budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in today’s economy and includes housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology, plus taxes and a miscellaneous category. Available by county and for different types of households, including those with children.
  2. The Household Survival Budget Calculator allows for the calculation of a household survival budget for different types of household compositions. Available by county and breakouts for the number of children by age group (0-2, 3-4 and 5-17).
  3. The Budget and Income Status Tool – Use to compare ALICE Household Survival Budget costs to income, tailored by location and household composition, to determine if a household is Poverty-Level, ALICE, or Above the ALICE Threshold. Available by county and breakouts for the number of children by age group (0-2, 3-4 and 5-17).
  4. The Household Stability Budget incorporates the higher costs for maintaining a more financially stable household over time, including a 10% savings category that can be used in an emergency or for longer-term goals like additional education or buying a home. Available by county and for households with 2 adults and 2 children as well as 2 adults and 2 children in child care.
  5. The Mapping Tool is an interactive map that shows ALICE data by state, county, Census County Subdivision, Census Place, and ZIP code tabulation area; and county-level demographic data by household type, age, and race/ethnicity. Available for different family types including married with children, single female with children and single male with children.
  6. The Legislative District Tool allows for looking at ALICE data for legislative districts. Available for U.S. Congressional districts and KY Senate and House districts.
  7. Costs Over Time: The ALICE Essentials Index compares the ALICE Essentials Index to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI), the traditional measure of inflation.
  8. Trends in Financial Hardship compares poverty level and ALICE households over time and is available by county.
  9. Financial Hardship by Demographic Group allows users to see how rates of financial hardship have differed substantially between groups. Available by county and available for families with children by type of household, households by age of householder, and households by race/ethnicity.
  10. ALICE in the Labor Force looks at ALICE thresholds for common jobs and is available at the state level.

The basic needs that much of this data highlights help people thrive and produce, in turn creating a more robust economy that works better for all of us. We can all play a part for a more prosperous Kentucky!