How are homes heated in Durham, NC?

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Durham, used by 59.0% (±1.2 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

38.6% heat with utility gas.

0.1% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 38.6% (±1.2 points)
Electricity: 59.0%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 0.1%

Heating fuel in Durham

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Durham	Durham County	North Carolina	United States
Utility gas	38.6% (±1.2 points)	37.3%	24.5%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	0.1% (±0.1 points)	0.2%	2.0%	3.9%
Electricity	59.0% (±1.2 points)	59.0%	65.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	1.1% (±0.2 points)	2.2%	6.0%	4.9%
Wood	0.0% (±0.1 points)	0.2%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.2% (±0.1 points)	0.2%	0.1%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±0.1 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.0% (±0.1 points)	0.0%	0.2%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.8% (±0.4 points)	0.8%	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 Durham, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Durham County (0.2%).

It is also lower than in North Carolina (2.0%).

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

In Durham, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Durham County (59.0%).

It is also lower than in North Carolina (65.5%).

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Durham

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Durham
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Durham	—	59.0% (±1.2 points)	—
Gorman	6.7 mi	77.8% (±14.0 points)	Higher
Chapel Hill	8.7 mi	57.1% (±2.6 points)	Not measurably different
Morrisville	10 mi	52.0% (±4.0 points)	Lower
Carrboro	11 mi	63.1% (±3.6 points)	Higher
Governors Village	11 mi	28.3% (±12.1 points)	Lower
Governors Club	13 mi	14.1% (±9.1 points)	Lower
Hillsborough	13 mi	50.4% (±6.1 points)	Lower
Butner	14 mi	62.2% (±6.8 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Morrisville, NC (52.0%), Governors Village, NC (28.3%), Governors Club, NC (14.1%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Gorman, NC (77.8%), Carrboro, NC (63.1%).

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

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 Durham

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Durham, used by 59.0% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Durham heat with oil?

0.1% (±0.1 points) of occupied homes in Durham use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Durham have electric heat?

59.0% (±1.2 points) of occupied homes in Durham heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Durham city, North Carolina

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 Durham city, North Carolina (place:19000, in state:37).

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.