How are homes heated in Madison, WI?

Utility gas is the most common heating fuel in Madison, used by 67.4% (±1.1 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

28.8% heat with electricity.

0.4% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on .

Utility gas
67.4% (±1.1 points)
Electricity
28.8%
Fuel oil, kerosene
0.4%

Heating fuel in Madison

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used mostMadisonDane CountyWisconsinUnited States
Utility gas67.4% (±1.1 points)68.4%64.8%46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.0.4% (±0.2 points)0.4%1.4%3.9%
Electricity28.8% (±1.1 points)24.7%17.8%41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)1.5% (±0.3 points)4.5%11.8%4.9%
Wood0.2% (±0.1 points)0.5%2.7%1.4%
Solar energy0.2% (±0.1 points)0.2%0.1%0.3%
Coal or coke0.0% (±0.1 points)0.0%0.0%0.1%
Other fuel0.7% (±0.2 points)0.6%0.8%0.5%
No fuel used0.9% (±0.2 points)0.7%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 Madison, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is not measurably different from Dane County (0.4%).

It is also lower than in Wisconsin (1.4%).

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

In Madison, the share of homes heating with electricity is higher than in Dane County (24.7%).

It is also higher than in Wisconsin (17.8%).

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

Homes heated by electricity in places near Madison

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Madison
PlaceDistanceHomes heated by electricityCompared with this place
Madison—28.8% (±1.1 points)—
Shorewood Hills1.1 mi24.1% (±7.1 points)Not measurably different
Maple Bluff3.6 mi10.2% (±4.0 points)Lower
Middleton4.1 mi26.9% (±3.7 points)Not measurably different
Monona5.4 mi23.1% (±4.6 points)Lower
Town of Westport5.5 mi17.7% (±5.1 points)Lower
Waunakee6.6 mi21.3% (±5.0 points)Lower
Town of Blooming Grove6.9 mi20.2% (±6.2 points)Lower
Fitchburg7.1 mi32.1% (±3.6 points)Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Maple Bluff, WI (10.2%), Monona, WI (23.1%), Town of Westport, WI (17.7%).

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

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

RankPlaceHomes heated by fuel oil
28 (tie)Brooklyn0.6% (±1.0 points)
28 (tie)Middleton0.6% (±0.6 points)
28 (tie)Monona0.6% (±0.5 points)
32 (tie)Black Earth0.5% (±0.8 points)
32 (tie)Mount Horeb0.5% (±0.9 points)
32 (tie)Town of Dunkirk0.5% (±0.8 points)
35Madison0.4% (±0.2 points)
36Mazomanie0.3% (±0.5 points)
37 (tie)Sun Prairie0.2% (±0.3 points)
37 (tie)Verona0.2% (±0.3 points)
39Town of Pleasant Springs0.1% (±0.2 points)
40 (tie)Cambridge0.0% (±3.4 points)
40 (tie)Cottage Grove0.0% (±0.6 points)

Showing 13 of 59 places in Dane 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.

What you can do on Seayora in Madison

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 Madison, 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 Madison beside you.

Create a landlord account · See what landlords get

Looking for a place to rent?

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

Browse rentals · Create a renter account

Questions about Madison

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

Utility gas is the most common heating fuel in Madison, used by 67.4% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Madison heat with oil?

0.4% (±0.2 points) of occupied homes in Madison use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Madison have electric heat?

28.8% (±1.1 points) of occupied homes in Madison heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

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 Madison city, Wisconsin (place:48000, in state:55).

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.

Figures last updated on .

Related