How are homes heated in New Salem, MA?

Name: Heating fuel in New Salem, 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 New Salem, used by 50.6% (±9.5 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

3.0% heat with utility gas.

6.4% heat with electricity.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 3.0% (±2.3 points)
Electricity: 6.4%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 50.6%

Heating fuel in New Salem

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	New Salem	Franklin County	Massachusetts	United States
Utility gas	3.0% (±2.3 points)	17.7%	51.6%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	50.6% (±9.5 points)	42.2%	22.4%	3.9%
Electricity	6.4% (±3.6 points)	15.0%	18.6%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	4.6% (±2.5 points)	10.5%	4.5%	4.9%
Wood	31.4% (±11.1 points)	11.0%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±9.3 points)	0.6%	0.2%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±9.3 points)	0.1%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	4.1% (±4.4 points)	2.6%	0.8%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.0% (±9.3 points)	0.3%	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 New Salem, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Franklin County (42.2%).

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

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

In New Salem, the share of homes heating with electricity is lower than in Franklin County (15.0%).

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 New Salem

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with New Salem
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
New Salem	—	6.4% (±3.6 points)	—
Shutesbury	4.6 mi	11.0% (±3.2 points)	Not measurably different
Petersham	5.7 mi	7.3% (±3.8 points)	Not measurably different
Pelham	7.4 mi	21.5% (±7.7 points)	Higher
Wendell	7.9 mi	3.0% (±2.2 points)	Not measurably different
Leverett	8.1 mi	6.5% (±3.0 points)	Not measurably different
Hardwick	9.2 mi	15.3% (±5.9 points)	Higher
Athol	9.5 mi	10.1% (±2.8 points)	Not measurably different
Orange (community)	10 mi	18.2% (±6.6 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Pelham, MA (21.5%), Hardwick, MA (15.3%), Orange (community), MA (18.2%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
3	Shelburne	56.5% (±7.7 points)
4	Gill	56.2% (±7.8 points)
5	Leverett	56.0% (±8.2 points)
6	Orange	55.6% (±6.0 points)
7	Bernardston	55.2% (±7.5 points)
8	Buckland	53.3% (±8.1 points)
9 (tie)	New Salem	50.6% (±9.5 points)
9 (tie)	Warwick	50.6% (±8.1 points)
11	Rowe	46.7% (±9.6 points)
12	Charlemont	45.7% (±8.3 points)
13	Whately	44.9% (±7.7 points)
14	Montague	42.2% (±5.1 points)
15	Conway	42.1% (±7.8 points)

Showing 13 of 26 places in Franklin 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.

What you can do on Seayora in New Salem

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 New Salem, 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 New Salem beside you.

Create a landlord account · See what landlords get

Looking for a place to rent?

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

Browse rentals · Create a renter account

Questions about New Salem

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

Fuel oil or kerosene is the most common heating fuel in New Salem, used by 50.6% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in New Salem heat with oil?

50.6% (±9.5 points) of occupied homes in New Salem use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in New Salem have electric heat?

6.4% (±3.6 points) of occupied homes in New Salem heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — New Salem town, Franklin 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 New Salem town, Franklin County, Massachusetts (county subdivision:45490, in state:25 county:011).

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.