Impact

When we unite to take action, change is possible.

Community Snapshot

We work together with our neighbors in Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties and more than 100 local partner organizations to create a future in which all central Iowans can reach their full potential.

Polk County

  • 497,441
    people live in Polk County
  • 74,541
    K-12 students in 9 school districts
  • $81,621
    median household income
  • 49,165
    people who live below the federal poverty level (FPL)

Warren County

  • 53,484
    people live in Warren County
  • 10,172
    K-12 students in 5 districts
  • $92,990
    median household income
  • 2,767
    people who live below the federal poverty level (FPL)

Dallas County

  • 104,136
    people live in Dallas county
  • 22,301
    K-12 students in 6 school districts
  • Financial Security (1)
    $102,349
    median household income
  • 6,038
    residents who live below the federal poverty level (FPL)

Our Impact

United Way of Central Iowa invests in hundreds of local nonprofit programs focused on creating progress in the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community: 
  • 185+

    programs supported

  • 112

    nonprofit community partners

  • 300+

    business and corporate partners

ALICE

Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed

ALICE households earn above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. Despite struggling to make ends meet, ALICE households often do not qualify for public assistance.

More information on ALICE
Woman working in fruit stand

ALICE in Central Iowa

In central Iowa (Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties) 35% of households are ALICE. That's more than 92,000 houeholds - or roughly the population of Ankeny, Indianola, Urbandale, Waukee, and West Des Moines combined.

  • $83,760

    Household Survival Budget

    Reflects the minimum costs of household necessities in Iowa (housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology) plus taxes for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children in childcare) in central Iowa

  • $144,048

    Household Stability Budget

    Reflects the higher costs for maintaining a more financially stable household (2 adults and 2 children in childcare) over time, including a savings category that can be used in an emergency, for additional education, or to buy a home 

  • 1 in 3

    Central Iowa Households Below the ALICE Threshold

    Derived from the Household Survival Budget, these households make below the minimum average income that a household needs to afford basic costs