How are homes heated in Norfolk, VA?

Name: Heating fuel in Norfolk, VA, 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 Norfolk, used by 59.0% (±1.2 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

36.3% heat with utility gas.

1.6% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 36.3% (±1.2 points)
Electricity: 59.0%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 1.6%

Heating fuel in Norfolk

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Norfolk	Norfolk city	Virginia	United States
Utility gas	36.3% (±1.2 points)	36.3%	32.3%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	1.6% (±0.3 points)	1.6%	3.2%	3.9%
Electricity	59.0% (±1.2 points)	59.0%	57.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	1.1% (±0.3 points)	1.1%	4.3%	4.9%
Wood	0.1% (±0.1 points)	0.1%	1.6%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.2% (±0.1 points)	0.2%	0.2%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±0.1 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.4% (±0.1 points)	0.4%	0.3%	0.5%
No fuel used	1.4% (±0.4 points)	1.4%	0.6%	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 Norfolk, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Norfolk city (1.6%).

It is also lower than in Virginia (3.2%).

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

In Norfolk, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Norfolk city (59.0%).

It is also higher than in Virginia (57.5%).

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Norfolk

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Norfolk
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Norfolk	—	59.0% (±1.2 points)	—
Portsmouth	7.6 mi	47.7% (±2.1 points)	Lower
Hampton	9.1 mi	50.5% (±1.9 points)	Lower
Poquoson	15 mi	45.7% (±5.9 points)	Lower
Carrollton	15 mi	60.4% (±5.4 points)	Not measurably different
Virginia Beach	16 mi	62.9% (±0.8 points)	Higher
Bethel Manor	16 mi	39.6% (±12.0 points)	Lower
Chesapeake	17 mi	53.7% (±1.4 points)	Lower
Newport News	19 mi	61.1% (±1.5 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Portsmouth, VA (47.7%), Hampton, VA (50.5%), Poquoson, VA (45.7%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Virginia Beach, VA (62.9%), Newport News, VA (61.1%).

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 Norfolk

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Norfolk, used by 59.0% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Norfolk heat with oil?

1.6% (±0.3 points) of occupied homes in Norfolk use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Norfolk have electric heat?

59.0% (±1.2 points) of occupied homes in Norfolk heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Norfolk city, Virginia

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 Norfolk city, Virginia (place:57000, in state:51).

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.