How are homes heated in Elgin, IA?

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

Bottled or tank gas (propane) is the most common heating fuel in Elgin, used by 67.9% (±12.7 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

5.2% heat with utility gas.

19.2% heat with electricity.

1.1% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 5.2% (±4.5 points)
Electricity: 19.2%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 1.1%

Heating fuel in Elgin

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Elgin	Fayette County	Iowa	United States
Utility gas	5.2% (±4.5 points)	49.9%	60.2%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	1.1% (±1.2 points)	0.5%	0.3%	3.9%
Electricity	19.2% (±9.6 points)	14.2%	24.4%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	67.9% (±12.7 points)	29.4%	12.6%	4.9%
Wood	0.9% (±1.8 points)	4.1%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±6.9 points)	0.4%	0.1%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±6.9 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	4.6% (±3.8 points)	0.5%	0.7%	0.5%
No fuel used	1.1% (±2.2 points)	1.0%	0.6%	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 Elgin, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Fayette County (0.5%).

It is not measurably different from Iowa (0.3%).

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

In Elgin, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Fayette County (14.2%).

It is not measurably different from Iowa (24.4%).

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Elgin

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Elgin
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Elgin	—	19.2% (±9.6 points)	—
Clermont	3.2 mi	4.9% (±3.6 points)	Lower
Wadena	8.1 mi	11.7% (±13.8 points)	Not measurably different
West Union	9.0 mi	13.7% (±5.4 points)	Not measurably different
Postville	9.5 mi	31.9% (±9.8 points)	Not measurably different
Castalia	11 mi	2.8% (±5.1 points)	Lower
Volga	12 mi	2.9% (±3.5 points)	Lower
Luana	12 mi	10.2% (±6.9 points)	Not measurably different
Fayette	12 mi	24.8% (±8.2 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Clermont, IA (4.9%), Castalia, IA (2.8%), Volga, IA (2.9%).

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

Homes heated by fuel oil across Fayette County, place by place

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
1	Waucoma	7.1% (±6.1 points)
2	St. Lucas	5.5% (±6.5 points)
3	Clermont	3.5% (±2.8 points)
4 (tie)	Elgin	1.1% (±1.2 points)
4 (tie)	Wadena	1.1% (±2.5 points)
6	West Union	0.5% (±0.8 points)
7	Fayette	0.4% (±1.2 points)
8 (tie)	Arlington	0.0% (±11.0 points)
8 (tie)	Hawkeye	0.0% (±11.0 points)
8 (tie)	Maynard	0.0% (±11.1 points)

Showing 10 of 13 places in Fayette County, 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 Elgin

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

Bottled or tank gas (propane) is the most common heating fuel in Elgin, used by 67.9% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Elgin heat with oil?

1.1% (±1.2 points) of occupied homes in Elgin use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Elgin have electric heat?

19.2% (±9.6 points) of occupied homes in Elgin heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

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

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 Elgin city, Iowa (place:24645, in state:19).

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.