How are homes heated in Highlands, NC?

Name: Heating fuel in Highlands, 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 Highlands, used by 52.4% (±12.8 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

3.0% heat with utility gas.

0.9% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 3.0% (±3.0 points)
Electricity: 52.4%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 0.9%

Heating fuel in Highlands

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Highlands	Macon County	North Carolina	United States
Utility gas	3.0% (±3.0 points)	3.7%	24.5%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	0.9% (±1.5 points)	2.5%	2.0%	3.9%
Electricity	52.4% (±12.8 points)	66.5%	65.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	42.5% (±12.7 points)	21.0%	6.0%	4.9%
Wood	1.2% (±1.9 points)	5.1%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±6.4 points)	0.0%	0.1%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±6.4 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.0% (±6.4 points)	0.3%	0.2%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.0% (±6.4 points)	1.0%	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 Highlands, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Macon County (2.5%).

It is not measurably different from North Carolina (2.0%).

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

In Highlands, the share of homes heating with electricity is lower than in Macon County (66.5%).

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

It is not measurably different from the national figure (41.3%).

Homes heated by electricity in places near Highlands

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Highlands
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Highlands	—	52.4% (±12.8 points)	—
Sky Valley	9.1 mi	83.6% (±9.0 points)	Higher
Dillard	12 mi	45.6% (±16.2 points)	Not measurably different
Franklin	14 mi	76.3% (±7.3 points)	Higher
Mountain City	14 mi	78.8% (±8.9 points)	Higher
Forest Hills	17 mi	87.2% (±9.3 points)	Higher
Clayton	17 mi	66.0% (±10.4 points)	Not measurably different
Salem	17 mi	80.6% (±21.7 points)	Higher
Cullowhee	18 mi	94.0% (±3.6 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Sky Valley, GA (83.6%), Franklin, NC (76.3%), Mountain City, GA (78.8%).

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 Highlands

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Highlands, used by 52.4% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Highlands heat with oil?

0.9% (±1.5 points) of occupied homes in Highlands use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Highlands have electric heat?

52.4% (±12.8 points) of occupied homes in Highlands heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Highlands 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 Highlands town, North Carolina (place:31360, 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.