How are homes heated in Old Fort, NC?

Name: Heating fuel in Old Fort, 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 Old Fort, used by 70.5% (±11.0 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

3.1% heat with utility gas.

15.1% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 3.1% (±4.9 points)
Electricity: 70.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 15.1%

Heating fuel in Old Fort

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Old Fort	McDowell County	North Carolina	United States
Utility gas	3.1% (±4.9 points)	2.3%	24.5%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	15.1% (±8.9 points)	9.2%	2.0%	3.9%
Electricity	70.5% (±11.0 points)	70.9%	65.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	4.1% (±3.9 points)	9.2%	6.0%	4.9%
Wood	5.5% (±7.0 points)	6.5%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±13.5 points)	0.1%	0.1%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±13.5 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.0% (±13.5 points)	0.2%	0.2%	0.5%
No fuel used	1.7% (±2.8 points)	1.6%	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 Old Fort, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from McDowell County (9.2%).

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

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

In Old Fort, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from McDowell County (70.9%).

It is not measurably different from North Carolina (65.5%).

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Old Fort

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Old Fort
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Old Fort	—	70.5% (±11.0 points)	—
Montreat	6.9 mi	75.8% (±32.7 points)	Not measurably different
Black Mountain	8.4 mi	74.8% (±5.5 points)	Not measurably different
West Marion	9.1 mi	80.1% (±13.0 points)	Not measurably different
Marion	10 mi	73.0% (±6.1 points)	Not measurably different
Swannanoa	12 mi	83.0% (±6.4 points)	Not measurably different
Lake Lure	13 mi	86.8% (±5.7 points)	Higher
Chimney Rock Village	13 mi	87.5% (±11.7 points)	Higher
Fairview (community)	15 mi	65.5% (±17.6 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Lake Lure, NC (86.8%), Chimney Rock Village, NC (87.5%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
1	Nebo	25.4% (±20.8 points)
2	Old Fort	15.1% (±8.9 points)
3	Marion	10.9% (±3.9 points)
4	West Marion	5.2% (±4.1 points)

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 Old Fort

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 Old Fort, 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 Old Fort beside you.

Create a landlord account · See what landlords get

Looking for a place to rent?

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

Browse rentals · Create a renter account

Questions about Old Fort

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Old Fort, used by 70.5% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Old Fort heat with oil?

15.1% (±8.9 points) of occupied homes in Old Fort use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Old Fort have electric heat?

70.5% (±11.0 points) of occupied homes in Old Fort heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Old Fort 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 Old Fort town, North Carolina (place:48920, 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.