Editor’s note: This article was updated at 11:05 a.m. on May 13 to reflect corrected information provided by United Way of Whatcom County. 

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new report has come out detailing more Whatcom County households are facing economic hardship than past years.

The report, called ALICE for Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed, was updated on Monday, May 12 to say that nearly half of all Whatcom County households fall below the survival threshold.

ALICE shows people who may live in Washington and face economic hardship but do not receive assistance from programs meant for poverty-level residents. The 2025 ALICE report has been updated to reflect a new count of households in the county back in 2023.

In 2023, 45% of Whatcom households fell below that threshold, up from 38% in 2022.

According to Kristi Birkeland, President/CEO of United Way of Whatcom County, the ALICE survival threshold reflects the actual costs for basic household necessities including housing, childcare, food, transportation, technology, and taxes. The majority of households that fall below that threshold earn more than the federal poverty level and may not qualify for assistance programs. 

Birkeland also says that traditional measures of poverty severely undercounts the number of people living in economic hardship.