How are homes heated in Bethel, AK?

Name: Heating fuel in Bethel, AK, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

Fuel oil or kerosene is the most common heating fuel in Bethel, used by 91.8% (±3.2 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

0.0% heat with utility gas.

3.1% heat with electricity.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 0.0% (±1.2 points)
Electricity: 3.1%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 91.8%

Heating fuel in Bethel

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Bethel	Bethel Census Area	Alaska	United States
Utility gas	0.0% (±1.2 points)	0.2%	49.1%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	91.8% (±3.2 points)	89.5%	27.6%	3.9%
Electricity	3.1% (±2.3 points)	3.5%	14.3%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	2.4% (±2.1 points)	1.3%	2.4%	4.9%
Wood	2.7% (±1.8 points)	5.2%	4.6%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±1.2 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±1.2 points)	0.0%	0.2%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.0% (±1.2 points)	0.2%	1.0%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.0% (±1.2 points)	0.0%	0.7%	1.2%

The survey asks which fuel is used most to heat the home, so a home with a heat pump and an oil backup is counted once, under the one it uses most.

In Bethel, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Bethel Census Area (89.5%).

It is also higher than in Alaska (27.6%).

It is higher than the national figure (3.9%).

In Bethel, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Bethel Census Area (3.5%).

It is also lower than in Alaska (14.3%).

It is lower than the national figure (41.3%).

Homes heated by electricity in places near Bethel

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Bethel
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Bethel	—	3.1% (±2.3 points)	—
Napaskiak	6.4 mi	0.0% (±24.4 points)	Not measurably different
Napakiak	9.6 mi	18.2% (±16.1 points)	Not measurably different
Kwethluk	12 mi	0.0% (±11.6 points)	Not measurably different
Akiak	21 mi	4.5% (±4.3 points)	Not measurably different
Nunapitchuk	23 mi	0.0% (±16.6 points)	Not measurably different
Eek	41 mi	0.0% (±40.6 points)	Not measurably different
Lower Kalskag	69 mi	0.0% (±28.6 points)	Not measurably different
Russian Mission	70 mi	0.0% (±23.9 points)	Not measurably different

None of the nearby places differs measurably from this one on this figure.

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Homes heated by fuel oil across Bethel Census Area, place by place

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
1 (tie)	Platinum	100.0% (±75.1 points)
5	Nunapitchuk	97.8% (±3.0 points)
6	Mekoryuk	97.7% (±3.9 points)
7	Toksook Bay	94.2% (±3.4 points)
8	Chefornak	93.4% (±5.1 points)
9	Kwethluk	93.1% (±6.4 points)
10	Bethel	91.8% (±3.2 points)
11	Quinhagak	91.2% (±4.6 points)
12	Napaskiak	89.8% (±10.1 points)
13	Chuathbaluk	85.3% (±14.2 points)
14	Aniak	80.6% (±7.6 points)
15	Napakiak	79.5% (±15.7 points)
16	Upper Kalskag	72.7% (±17.4 points)

Showing 13 of 18 places in Bethel Census Area, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Bethel

What is the most common way to heat a home in Bethel?

Fuel oil or kerosene is the most common heating fuel in Bethel, used by 91.8% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Bethel heat with oil?

91.8% (±3.2 points) of occupied homes in Bethel use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Bethel have electric heat?

3.1% (±2.3 points) of occupied homes in Bethel heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Bethel city, Alaska

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Bethel city, Alaska (place:06520, in state:02).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0063PE, DP04_0063PM, DP04_0066PE, DP04_0066PM, DP04_0065PE, DP04_0065PM, DP04_0064PE, DP04_0064PM, DP04_0068PE, DP04_0068PM, DP04_0069PE, DP04_0069PM, DP04_0067PE, DP04_0067PM, DP04_0070PE, DP04_0070PM, DP04_0071PE, DP04_0071PM

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.