How are homes heated in Rutherford College, NC?

Name: Heating fuel in Rutherford College, 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 Rutherford College, used by 72.4% (±9.7 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

15.4% heat with utility gas.

3.2% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 15.4% (±9.4 points)
Electricity: 72.4%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 3.2%

Heating fuel in Rutherford College

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Rutherford College	Burke County	North Carolina	United States
Utility gas	15.4% (±9.4 points)	11.0%	24.5%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	3.2% (±3.4 points)	6.8%	2.0%	3.9%
Electricity	72.4% (±9.7 points)	70.6%	65.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	6.0% (±5.8 points)	6.5%	6.0%	4.9%
Wood	2.5% (±3.1 points)	3.6%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.5% (±1.2 points)	0.2%	0.1%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±6.9 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.0% (±6.9 points)	0.2%	0.2%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.0% (±6.9 points)	1.1%	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 Rutherford College, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is lower than in Burke County (6.8%).

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

It is not measurably different from the national figure (3.9%).

In Rutherford College, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Burke County (70.6%).

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 Rutherford College

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Rutherford College
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Rutherford College	—	72.4% (±9.7 points)	—
Connelly Springs	1.7 mi	86.8% (±6.7 points)	Higher
Valdese	2.6 mi	68.2% (±7.6 points)	Not measurably different
Icard	4.2 mi	75.9% (±12.6 points)	Not measurably different
Drexel	4.6 mi	75.1% (±9.0 points)	Not measurably different
Sawmills	5.4 mi	83.0% (±5.1 points)	Not measurably different
Rhodhiss	5.4 mi	80.4% (±8.2 points)	Not measurably different
Hildebran	6.4 mi	66.6% (±9.6 points)	Not measurably different
Granite Falls	6.6 mi	63.5% (±7.3 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Connelly Springs, NC (86.8%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
4	Glen Alpine	9.0% (±7.0 points)
5	Rhodhiss	7.1% (±5.7 points)
6	Valdese	6.7% (±4.4 points)
7	Connelly Springs	5.6% (±5.0 points)
8	Morganton	4.2% (±2.4 points)
9 (tie)	Drexel	3.2% (±2.7 points)
9 (tie)	Rutherford College	3.2% (±3.4 points)

Showing 7 of 10 places in Burke 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.

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Questions about Rutherford College

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Rutherford College, used by 72.4% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Rutherford College heat with oil?

3.2% (±3.4 points) of occupied homes in Rutherford College use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Rutherford College have electric heat?

72.4% (±9.7 points) of occupied homes in Rutherford College heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Rutherford College 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 Rutherford College town, North Carolina (place:58440, 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.