How are homes heated in Bethel, ME?

Name: Heating fuel in Bethel, ME, 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 63.9% (±8.5 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

3.3% heat with utility gas.

7.1% heat with electricity.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 3.3% (±2.6 points)
Electricity: 7.1%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 63.9%

Heating fuel in Bethel

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Bethel	Oxford County	Maine	United States
Utility gas	3.3% (±2.6 points)	1.5%	8.3%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	63.9% (±8.5 points)	58.0%	55.3%	3.9%
Electricity	7.1% (±3.0 points)	8.4%	11.2%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	9.6% (±4.9 points)	11.9%	13.8%	4.9%
Wood	15.4% (±5.8 points)	17.8%	8.8%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±2.2 points)	0.3%	0.4%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±2.2 points)	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.7% (±1.1 points)	1.7%	1.7%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.0% (±2.2 points)	0.2%	0.4%	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 Oxford County (58.0%).

It is also higher than in Maine (55.3%).

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

In Bethel, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Oxford County (8.4%).

It is also lower than in Maine (11.2%).

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	—	7.1% (±3.0 points)	—
Hanover	3.5 mi	2.1% (±3.0 points)	Lower
Newry	7.4 mi	9.0% (±6.3 points)	Not measurably different
Greenwood	8.2 mi	5.5% (±5.0 points)	Not measurably different
Woodstock	9.9 mi	2.5% (±1.8 points)	Lower
Gilead	10.0 mi	1.9% (±3.0 points)	Lower
Rumford	10 mi	12.4% (±4.8 points)	Not measurably different
Andover	10 mi	0.7% (±1.2 points)	Lower
Rumford (community)	12 mi	14.4% (±5.9 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Hanover, ME (2.1%), Woodstock, ME (2.5%), Gilead, ME (1.9%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Rumford (community), ME (14.4%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
1 (tie)	Upton	72.9% (±34.2 points)
3	Mexico	71.3% (±6.3 points)
4	Dixfield	71.2% (±9.1 points)
5	Greenwood	69.2% (±8.6 points)
6	Norway	66.6% (±9.8 points)
7	Rumford	65.2% (±7.6 points)
8	Bethel	63.9% (±8.5 points)
9	Oxford	60.7% (±9.0 points)
10 (tie)	Hebron	59.6% (±7.5 points)
10 (tie)	Waterford	59.6% (±6.8 points)
12	West Paris	59.3% (±8.5 points)
13	Stow	59.2% (±21.8 points)
14	Buckfield	58.4% (±10.6 points)

Showing 13 of 35 places in Oxford 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 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 63.9% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Bethel heat with oil?

63.9% (±8.5 points) of occupied homes in Bethel use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Bethel have electric heat?

7.1% (±3.0 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 town, Oxford County, Maine

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 town, Oxford County, Maine (county subdivision:04825, in state:23 county:017).

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.