Hear directly from ALICE or share your own ALICE story on the ALICE Voices page
ALICE County Reports with ZIP and Place Data
Counties are the core geography for ALICE data: They reveal variations often masked by statewide averages, and the data is reported regularly and reliably.
Use the interactive charts below to see an overview of financial hardship by county. This profile highlights key aspects of local economies, including details related to demographics, the cost of living, the labor landscape, and variation by ZIP code, Census County Subdivision, and Census Designated Place.
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county. While conditions have improved for some households, many continue to struggle, especially as wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of household essentials (housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and a basic smartphone plan). Households below the ALICE Threshold — ALICE households plus those in poverty — can’t afford the essentials.
2024 Point-in-Time-Data
Population:Number of Households:
Median Household Income:
Labor Force Participation Rate:
ALICE Households:Households in Poverty:
Financial Hardship Has Changed Over Time in Illinois
As circumstances change, households may find themselves below or above the ALICE Threshold at different times. Use the buttons below to switch between ALICE data over time by number and percentage.
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS
PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLDS
Total Households
Total Households
Total Households
Total Households
Total Households
Total Households
Total Households
Total Households
Total Households
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2010-2024; American Community Survey, 2010-2024
Datasheet
Figure
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2010-2024; American Community Survey, 2010-2024
Datasheet
Figure
Financial Hardship is Not Equally Distributed
By total number, groups with the largest population of households below the ALICE Threshold tend to also be in the largest demographic groups. However, when looking at the proportion of each group that is below the ALICE Threshold, it is clear that some groups are more likely to be ALICE than others.
Households by Race/Ethnicity, Illinois, 2024
Notes: All racial categories except Two or More Races are for one race alone. Race and ethnicity are overlapping categories; the AI/AN (American Indian/Alaska Native), Asian, Black, Hawaiian (includes other Pacific Islanders), and Two or More Races groups may include Hispanic households. The White group includes only White, non-Hispanic households. The Hispanic group may include households of any race. Because household poverty data is not available for the American Community Survey's race/ethnicity categories, annual income below $15,000 is used as a proxy. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau changed how it asked about race/ethnicity and how responses are coded. Due to this change, the Census Bureau recommends caution in comparing racial/ethnic data from before and after 2020.
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2024; American Community Survey, 2024
Datasheet
Figure
There were also differences in financial hardship by household type and age of householder.
HOUSEHOLD TYPE
AGE OF HOUSEHOLDER
Group
% Below ALICE Threshold
Group
% Below ALICE Threshold
Sources: American Community Survey, 2024; ALICE Threshold, 2024
Datasheet
Figure
The Cost of Basics Outpaces Wages
The Household Survival Budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in the current economy and includes housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement. In 2024, household costs in every county in Illinois were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four.
Monthly Costs
Single Adult
One Adult, One Child
One Adult, One In Child Care
Two Adults
Two Adults Two Children
Two Adults, Two In Child Care
Single Adult 65+
Two Adults 65+
Notes: The budget for One Adult, One Child includes costs for one adult and a school-age child. The budget for One Adult, One in Child Care includes costs for an adult and an infant. The budget for Two Adults, Two in Child Care includes costs for two adults, one infant, and one preschooler. "Hourly Wage" shows the full-time wage needed to support each budget.
Sources: For ALICE Survival Budget sources, see the Methodology Overview on the Methodology page.
Datasheet
Figure
Financial Hardship Varies by Location in Illinois
There is substantial variation in the number of households who live below the ALICE Threshold within the county. Explore the map and table below to learn more. The map is shaded to show the percentage of households that are below the ALICE Threshold (poverty-level and ALICE households combined). The darker the blue, the higher the percentage.
ADDITIONAL GEOGRAPHIES:
Counties, Illinois, 2024
Counties
Total Households
% Below ALICE Threshold
Sources: American Community Survey, 2024; ALICE Threshold, 2024
Datasheet
Figure
Learn More
See what partners across the country are doing to improve life for ALICE households on our ALICE in Action page.
ALICE County Reports with ZIP and Place Data
Counties are the core geography for ALICE data: They reveal variations often masked by statewide averages, and the data is reported regularly and reliably.
ALICE IN COUNTY
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county. While conditions have improved for some households, many continue to struggle, especially as wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of household essentials (housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and a basic smartphone plan). Households below the ALICE Threshold — ALICE households plus those in poverty — can’t afford the essentials.
2024 Point-in-Time-Data
Population:Number of Households:
Median Household Income:
Labor Force Participation Rate:
ALICE Households:Households in Poverty:
Financial Hardship Has Changed Over Time in Illinois
As circumstances change, households may find themselves below or above the ALICE Threshold at different times.
Number of ALICE and Poverty-Level Households, Illinois, 2024
Percentage of Households, Illinois, 2024
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2010-2024; American Community Survey, 2010-2024
Financial Hardship is Not Equally Distributed
By total number, groups with the largest population of households below the ALICE Threshold tend to also be in the largest demographic groups. However, when looking at the proportion of each group that is below the ALICE Threshold, it is clear that some groups are more likely to be ALICE than others.
Households by Race/Ethnicity, Illinois, 2024
Notes: All racial categories except Two or More Races are for one race alone. Race and ethnicity are overlapping categories; the AI/AN (American Indian/Alaska Native), Asian, Black, Hawaiian (includes other Pacific Islanders), and Two or More Races groups may include Hispanic households. The White group includes only White, non-Hispanic households. The Hispanic group may include households of any race. Because household poverty data is not available for the American Community Survey's race/ethnicity categories, annual income below $15,000 is used as a proxy. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau changed how it asked about race/ethnicity and how responses are coded. Due to this change, the Census Bureau recommends caution in comparing racial/ethnic data from before and after 2020.
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2024; American Community Survey, 2024
There were also differences in financial hardship by household type and age of householder.
HOUSEHOLD TYPE
Group
% Below ALICE Threshold
AGE OF HOUSEHOLDER
Group
% Below ALICE Threshold
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2010-2024; American Community Survey, 2010-2024
The Cost of Basics Outpaces Wages
The Household Survival Budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in the current economy and includes housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement. In 2024, household costs in every county in Illinois were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four.
Monthly Costs
Single Adult
One Adult, One Child
One Adult, One In Child Care
Two Adults
Two Adults Two Children
Two Adults, Two In Child Care
Single Adult 65+
Two Adults 65+
Notes: The budget for One Adult, One Child includes costs for one adult and a school-age child. The budget for One Adult, One in Child Care includes costs for an adult and an infant. The budget for Two Adults, Two in Child Care includes costs for two adults, one infant, and one preschooler. "Hourly Wage" shows the full-time wage needed to support each budget.
Sources: For ALICE Survival Budget sources, see the Methodology Overview on the Methodology page.
Financial Hardship Varies by Location in Illinois
There is substantial variation in the number of households who live below the ALICE Threshold within the county. Explore the map and table below to learn more. The map is shaded to show the percentage of households that are below the ALICE Threshold (poverty-level and ALICE households combined). The darker the blue, the higher the percentage.
Percent Below ALICE Threshold
0%100%
Counties, Illinois, 2024
Location
Total Households
% Below ALICE Threshold
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2010-2024; American Community Survey, 2010-2024
ALICE IN COUNTY
2024 Point-in-Time Data
Population:Number of Households:
Median Household Income:
Labor Force Participation Rate:
ALICE Households:Households in Poverty:
Trends in Financial Hardship
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county. Households below the ALICE Threshold — ALICE households plus those in poverty — can’t afford the essentials.
ALICE and Poverty-Level Households
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2010-2024; American Community Survey, 2010-2024
The Cost of Basics Outpaces Wages
The Household Survival Budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in the current economy and includes housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement. The Household Survival Budget is calculated at the county level and by household composition, as costs can vary greatly depending on location and household needs.
Monthly Costs
Single Adult
2 Adults, 1 Infant, 1 Preschooler
Notes: The budget for One Adult, One Child includes costs for one adult and a school-age child. The budget for One Adult, One in Child Care includes costs for an adult and an infant. The budget for Two Adults, Two in Child Care includes costs for two adults, one infant, and one preschooler. "Hourly Wage" shows the full-time wage needed to support each budget.
Sources: For ALICE Survival Budget sources, see the Methodology Overview on the Methodology page.
Financial Hardship is Not Equally Distributed
By total number, groups with the largest population of households below the ALICE Threshold tend to also be in the largest demographic groups. However, when looking at the proportion of each group that is below the ALICE Threshold, it is clear that some groups are more likely to be ALICE than others.
Households by Race/Ethnicity
Notes: All racial categories except Two or More Races are for one race alone. Race and ethnicity are overlapping categories; the AI/AN (American Indian/Alaska Native), Asian, Black, Hawaiian (includes other Pacific Islanders), and Two or More Races groups may include Hispanic households. The White group includes only White, non-Hispanic households. The Hispanic group may include households of any race. Because household poverty data is not available for the American Community Survey's race/ethnicity categories, annual income below $15,000 is used as a proxy. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau changed how it asked about race/ethnicity and how responses are coded. Due to this change, the Census Bureau recommends caution in comparing racial/ethnic data from before and after 2020.
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2024; American Community Survey, 2024
Households by Age of Householder
Sources: ALICE Threshold, 2024; American Community Survey, 2024
Sources: American Community Survey, 2024; ALICE Threshold, 2024
