How are homes heated in Harpswell, ME?

Name: Heating fuel in Harpswell, 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 Harpswell, used by 43.9% (±8.1 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

0.8% heat with utility gas.

6.8% heat with electricity.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 0.8% (±1.0 points)
Electricity: 6.8%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 43.9%

Heating fuel in Harpswell

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Harpswell	Cumberland County	Maine	United States
Utility gas	0.8% (±1.0 points)	20.1%	8.3%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	43.9% (±8.1 points)	45.6%	55.3%	3.9%
Electricity	6.8% (±3.0 points)	14.5%	11.2%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	33.9% (±7.8 points)	13.5%	13.8%	4.9%
Wood	9.4% (±3.3 points)	3.4%	8.8%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.7% (±0.7 points)	0.6%	0.4%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±1.1 points)	0.0%	0.1%	0.1%
Other fuel	3.9% (±2.9 points)	1.6%	1.7%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.6% (±0.8 points)	0.8%	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 Harpswell, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Cumberland County (45.6%).

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

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

In Harpswell, the share of homes heating with electricity is lower than in Cumberland County (14.5%).

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 Harpswell

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Harpswell
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Harpswell	—	6.8% (±3.0 points)	—
Chebeague Island	5.5 mi	23.8% (±7.8 points)	Higher
Phippsburg	7.3 mi	2.5% (±1.8 points)	Lower
Freeport	9.7 mi	12.9% (±4.8 points)	Higher
Long Island	10.0 mi	23.1% (±11.1 points)	Higher
Yarmouth	10.0 mi	12.3% (±4.0 points)	Higher
Brunswick (community)	11 mi	12.7% (±2.8 points)	Higher
Freeport (community)	11 mi	18.8% (±14.2 points)	Not measurably different
Georgetown	11 mi	2.3% (±2.3 points)	Lower

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Phippsburg, ME (2.5%), Georgetown, ME (2.3%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Chebeague Island, ME (23.8%), Freeport, ME (12.9%), Long Island, ME (23.1%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
16	Cumberland	49.8% (±5.0 points)
17 (tie)	Westbrook	48.9% (±4.1 points)
17 (tie)	Sebago	48.9% (±10.6 points)
19	Scarborough	47.9% (±4.8 points)
20	Brunswick	44.8% (±3.4 points)
21	Freeport	44.2% (±7.1 points)
22	Harpswell	43.9% (±8.1 points)
23	Falmouth	42.9% (±5.4 points)
24	Chebeague Island	38.5% (±10.4 points)
25	South Portland	37.6% (±3.4 points)
26	Portland	30.9% (±2.3 points)
27	Long Island	30.8% (±14.9 points)
28	Frye Island	5.9% (±16.7 points)

Showing 13 of 28 places in Cumberland 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 Harpswell

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

Fuel oil or kerosene is the most common heating fuel in Harpswell, used by 43.9% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Harpswell heat with oil?

43.9% (±8.1 points) of occupied homes in Harpswell use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Harpswell have electric heat?

6.8% (±3.0 points) of occupied homes in Harpswell heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Harpswell town, Cumberland 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 Harpswell town, Cumberland County, Maine (county subdivision:31390, in state:23 county:005).

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.