How are homes heated in Rutherfordton, NC?

Name: Heating fuel in Rutherfordton, 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 Rutherfordton, used by 60.1% (±9.7 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

30.5% heat with utility gas.

1.9% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 30.5% (±10.1 points)
Electricity: 60.1%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 1.9%

Heating fuel in Rutherfordton

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Rutherfordton	Rutherford County	North Carolina	United States
Utility gas	30.5% (±10.1 points)	7.5%	24.5%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	1.9% (±1.7 points)	4.6%	2.0%	3.9%
Electricity	60.1% (±9.7 points)	73.5%	65.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	5.5% (±5.2 points)	9.7%	6.0%	4.9%
Wood	0.0% (±2.7 points)	2.8%	1.1%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.0% (±2.7 points)	0.1%	0.1%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±2.7 points)	0.2%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.0% (±2.7 points)	0.3%	0.2%	0.5%
No fuel used	2.0% (±2.3 points)	1.2%	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 Rutherfordton, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is lower than in Rutherford County (4.6%).

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

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

In Rutherfordton, the share of homes heating with electricity is lower than in Rutherford County (73.5%).

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 Rutherfordton

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Rutherfordton
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Rutherfordton	—	60.1% (±9.7 points)	—
Ruth	1.6 mi	76.3% (±10.3 points)	Higher
Spindale	2.2 mi	77.4% (±8.1 points)	Higher
Forest City	5.5 mi	64.9% (±7.5 points)	Not measurably different
Bostic	7.1 mi	82.5% (±10.2 points)	Higher
Ellenboro	12 mi	78.6% (±13.1 points)	Higher
Lake Lure	15 mi	86.8% (±5.7 points)	Higher
Mooresboro	15 mi	65.4% (±17.3 points)	Not measurably different
Columbus	16 mi	66.3% (±10.7 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Ruth, NC (76.3%), Spindale, NC (77.4%), Bostic, NC (82.5%).

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

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

Rank	Place	Homes heated by fuel oil
1	Ruth	3.5% (±3.9 points)
2	Spindale	3.2% (±3.4 points)
3	Forest City	2.8% (±2.2 points)
4	Lake Lure	2.5% (±2.9 points)
5	Rutherfordton	1.9% (±1.7 points)
6	Bostic	1.3% (±1.9 points)
7	Ellenboro	0.3% (±1.1 points)
8	Chimney Rock Village	0.0% (±40.0 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 Rutherfordton

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Rutherfordton, used by 60.1% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Rutherfordton heat with oil?

1.9% (±1.7 points) of occupied homes in Rutherfordton use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Rutherfordton have electric heat?

60.1% (±9.7 points) of occupied homes in Rutherfordton heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Rutherfordton 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 Rutherfordton town, North Carolina (place:58460, 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.