How are homes heated in Elkin, NC?

Name: Heating fuel in Elkin, 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 Elkin, used by 73.0% (±6.9 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

10.5% heat with utility gas.

9.9% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 10.5% (±4.7 points)
Electricity: 73.0%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 9.9%

Heating fuel in Elkin

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Elkin	Surry County	North Carolina	United States
Utility gas	10.5% (±4.7 points)	3.0%	24.5%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	9.9% (±5.2 points)	9.3%	2.0%	3.9%
Electricity	73.0% (±6.9 points)	73.9%	65.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	3.5% (±2.5 points)	7.8%	6.0%	4.9%
Wood	0.0% (±2.5 points)	3.5%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±2.5 points)	0.0%	0.1%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±2.5 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.6% (±1.0 points)	0.2%	0.2%	0.5%
No fuel used	2.5% (±2.1 points)	2.2%	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 Elkin, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Surry County (9.3%).

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

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

In Elkin, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Surry County (73.9%).

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

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Elkin

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Elkin
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Elkin	—	73.0% (±6.9 points)	—
Jonesville	2.1 mi	83.4% (±5.1 points)	Higher
Ronda	6.1 mi	74.8% (±9.9 points)	Not measurably different
Boonville	7.9 mi	84.0% (±7.0 points)	Higher
Dobson	11 mi	77.2% (±8.1 points)	Not measurably different
Yadkinville	14 mi	86.7% (±7.2 points)	Higher
Hays	15 mi	86.8% (±10.3 points)	Higher
North Wilkesboro	17 mi	82.7% (±7.4 points)	Not measurably different
Fairplains	18 mi	89.6% (±6.3 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Jonesville, NC (83.4%), Boonville, NC (84.0%), Yadkinville, NC (86.7%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
1	Pilot Mountain	15.0% (±6.7 points)
2	Flat Rock (community)	11.8% (±12.0 points)
3	Mount Airy	10.3% (±2.7 points)
4	Elkin	9.9% (±5.2 points)
5	Dobson	6.4% (±3.4 points)

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 Elkin

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Elkin, used by 73.0% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Elkin heat with oil?

9.9% (±5.2 points) of occupied homes in Elkin use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Elkin have electric heat?

73.0% (±6.9 points) of occupied homes in Elkin heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Elkin town, 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 Elkin town, North Carolina (place:20620, 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.