How are homes heated in Roanoke, VA?

Name: Heating fuel in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, used by 47.2% (±2.3 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

46.0% heat with utility gas.

4.5% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Utility gas: 46.0% (±2.2 points)
Electricity: 47.2%
Fuel oil, kerosene: 4.5%

Heating fuel in Roanoke

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used most	Roanoke	Roanoke city	Virginia	United States
Utility gas	46.0% (±2.2 points)	46.0%	32.3%	46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.	4.5% (±0.8 points)	4.5%	3.2%	3.9%
Electricity	47.2% (±2.3 points)	47.2%	57.5%	41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)	1.7% (±0.5 points)	1.7%	4.3%	4.9%
Wood	0.2% (±0.1 points)	0.2%	1.6%	1.4%
Solar energy	0.1% (±0.1 points)	0.1%	0.2%	0.3%
Coal or coke	0.0% (±0.1 points)	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Other fuel	0.1% (±0.1 points)	0.1%	0.3%	0.5%
No fuel used	0.4% (±0.2 points)	0.4%	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 Roanoke, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Roanoke city (4.5%).

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

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

In Roanoke, the share of homes heating with electricity is not measurably different from Roanoke city (47.2%).

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

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Roanoke

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Roanoke
Place	Distance	Homes heated by electricity	Compared with this place
Roanoke	—	47.2% (±2.3 points)	—
Vinton	3.9 mi	50.2% (±8.3 points)	Not measurably different
Cave Spring	4.5 mi	43.3% (±3.6 points)	Not measurably different
Hollins	4.5 mi	48.3% (±5.3 points)	Not measurably different
Salem	5.4 mi	40.3% (±3.5 points)	Lower
Cloverdale	6.1 mi	58.1% (±10.3 points)	Higher
Laymantown	8.0 mi	90.5% (±6.5 points)	Higher
Daleville	9.7 mi	48.7% (±8.0 points)	Not measurably different
Blue Ridge	10 mi	76.7% (±8.5 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Salem, VA (40.3%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Cloverdale, VA (58.1%), Laymantown, VA (90.5%), Blue Ridge, VA (76.7%).

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 Roanoke

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

Electricity is the most common heating fuel in Roanoke, used by 47.2% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Roanoke heat with oil?

4.5% (±0.8 points) of occupied homes in Roanoke use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Roanoke have electric heat?

47.2% (±2.3 points) of occupied homes in Roanoke heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Roanoke 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 Roanoke city, Virginia (place:68000, 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.