Nearly Half of Manatee County Households Struggling to Stay Afloat, New ALICE Report Finds

A new report from United Way Suncoast reveals that 43% of households in Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties live below the ALICE threshold, meaning they earn more than the federal poverty line but still cannot afford necessities such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.

In Manatee County alone, this economic strain is particularly evident, with tens of thousands of households classified as either in poverty or ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These families, many of whom have full-time jobs, still struggle to afford the cost of living. From 2019 to 2023, the number of Manatee-area households below the ALICE threshold jumped from 139,400 to 180,593—an increase of over 40,000 families in just four years.

The ALICE report reveals that, even among the top 20 occupations in Florida, over one-third of employees—1.26 million people—earn less than $20 per hour, thereby placing them below the ALICE line. Occupations such as cashiers, bookkeepers, nurses, and teachers are increasingly represented in this struggling demographic.

Seniors and families headed by single women are especially vulnerable in Manatee County. Households headed by individuals aged 65 and older have seen a nearly 50% increase in those living below the ALICE line. Meanwhile, 28% of single-parent families, particularly those led by women, are facing ongoing financial hardship.

Specific zip codes in the county also reveal high concentrations of households struggling to make ends meet. For example, in parts of the Palmetto and West Bradenton areas, over 60% of households are below the ALICE threshold.

United Way Suncoast calls for continued collaboration among nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies to reinforce efforts around education, financial stability, and community advocacy. The organization stresses that understanding the magnitude of local economic struggle is essential to developing effective support systems.

For more information and detailed data, visit unitedwaysuncoast.org/what-we-do/alice-suncoast.