How are homes heated in Dover, MA?

Name: Heating fuel in Dover, MA, 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 Dover, used by 71.3% (±6.6 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

8.4% heat with utility gas.

7.4% heat with electricity.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 8.4% (±4.0 points)
Electricity: 7.4%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 71.3%

Heating fuel in Dover

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Dover	Norfolk County	Massachusetts	United States
Utility gas	8.4% (±4.0 points)	54.3%	51.6%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	71.3% (±6.6 points)	22.8%	22.4%	3.9%
Electricity	7.4% (±3.4 points)	18.3%	18.6%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	9.4% (±3.8 points)	3.1%	4.5%	4.9%
Wood	0.0% (±2.2 points)	0.2%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±2.2 points)	0.1%	0.2%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±2.2 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	3.5% (±3.0 points)	0.5%	0.8%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.0% (±2.2 points)	0.4%	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 Dover, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is higher than in Norfolk County (22.8%).

It is also higher than in Massachusetts (22.4%).

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

In Dover, the share of homes heating with electricity is lower than in Norfolk County (18.3%).

It is also lower than in Massachusetts (18.6%).

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Dover

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Dover
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Dover	—	7.4% (±3.4 points)	—
Medfield (community)	3.3 mi	11.5% (±5.2 points)	Not measurably different
Medfield	3.5 mi	10.4% (±4.0 points)	Not measurably different
Westwood	3.9 mi	8.4% (±2.5 points)	Not measurably different
Needham (community)	4.1 mi	13.2% (±2.1 points)	Higher
Needham	4.1 mi	13.2% (±2.1 points)	Higher
Sherborn	4.2 mi	8.6% (±3.9 points)	Not measurably different
Natick	4.6 mi	23.6% (±3.0 points)	Higher
Wellesley (community)	5.0 mi	12.8% (±2.1 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Needham (community), MA (13.2%), Needham, MA (13.2%), Natick, MA (23.6%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
1	Dover	71.3% (±6.6 points)
2	Norfolk	63.0% (±6.0 points)
3	Plainville	50.8% (±6.2 points)
4	Wrentham	46.5% (±4.6 points)
5	Bellingham	42.8% (±4.9 points)
6	Holbrook	40.7% (±6.5 points)
7	Millis	38.7% (±6.9 points)

Showing 7 of 28 places in Norfolk County, ranked from highest to lowest.

The figures for Dover include the places inside it that have pages of their own: Dover (community).

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

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

What you can do on Seayora in Dover

One account for renting, owning, managing and fixing homes, with these figures beside you.

Do repairs, renovations or maintenance?

Get found by owners and renters near Dover, and send estimates and invoices from your phone.

Join as a pro · Find a pro

Own or manage a rental?

List it, sign the lease and collect rent online, with the figures for Dover beside you.

Create a landlord account · See what landlords get

Looking for a place to rent?

Browse homes for rent near Dover, save the ones you like and apply online.

Browse rentals · Create a renter account

Questions about Dover

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

Fuel oil or kerosene is the most common heating fuel in Dover, used by 71.3% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Dover heat with oil?

71.3% (±6.6 points) of occupied homes in Dover use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Dover have electric heat?

7.4% (±3.4 points) of occupied homes in Dover heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Dover town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts

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 Dover town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts (county subdivision:17405, in state:25 county:021).

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.