Can households afford energy in North Carolina?
34th of 51. All North Carolina households: 2.1% ($1,894 of $88,838). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 17.8% on $8,975. Renters 2.6%, owners 2.0%.
North Carolina burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in North Carolina: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 27% of homes (1,123,543 of 4,105,232).
North Carolina burden, % of income
- 17.8Under 30%
- 6.430% to 60%
- 4.260% to 80%
- 3.280% to 100%
- 1.4Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in North Carolina down to 6% takes $1,056 off its $1,594 energy cost, or $17,592 more income.
North Carolina income, cost and burden
| Bracket | North Carolina homes | Share | North Carolina income | Electric | All energy | North Carolina burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 447,385 | 11% | $8,975 | $1,254 | $1,594 | 17.8% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 676,158 | 16% | $27,259 | $1,351 | $1,744 | 6.4% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 440,428 | 11% | $43,628 | $1,396 | $1,818 | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 400,150 | 10% | $57,848 | $1,408 | $1,838 | 3.2% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 2,141,110 | 52% | $140,063 | $1,478 | $2,029 | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| All | 4,105,232 | 100% | $88,838 | $1,417 | $1,894 | 2.1% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in North Carolina
Renters pay $1,323 on $50,828 (2.6%); owners $2,185 on $108,238 (2.0%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: electricity, 64% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 5.7%.
| North Carolina heating fuel | Homes | Share | North Carolina income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 2,646,480 | 64.5% | $79,209 | $1,659 | 2.1% |
| Utility gas | 1,011,267 | 24.6% | $123,067 | $2,160 | 1.8% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 262,651 | 6.4% | $79,594 | $3,009 | 3.8% |
| Fuel oil | 98,840 | 2.4% | $49,738 | $2,851 | 5.7% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 85,993 | 2.1% | $55,813 | $1,469 | 2.6% |
Your burden against North Carolina
Help and shutoff rules in North Carolina
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 132,375 homes, 12 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $105,102,928, $94 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating: 130% Federal Poverty Level, (150 % Federal Poverty Level for households with 1+ member who is 60+ or disabled) .
Benefits listed: Heating: $300 minimum, $500 maximum Cooling: $1 minimum, $600 maximum Crisis: $600 maximum Weatherization: $12,000 maxim.
- North Carolina LIHEAP office, phone 1-800-662-7030
- Clearinghouse snapshot, North Carolina
- North Carolina help with your bill
North Carolina has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: NCUC Rule R12-11 (Disconnection of residential customer's electric service); also R12-8, R12-12, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your North Carolina utility.
Highest-burden North Carolina counties
100 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Hyde County at 5.5%, lowest of the 100: Orange County at 1.4%.
| North Carolina county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyde County | 2,002 | $47,492 | $2,605 | 5.5% | 16.1% |
| Bertie County | 6,984 | $59,642 | $3,029 | 5.1% | 15.5% |
| Greene County | 6,793 | $57,704 | $2,754 | 4.8% | 11.8% |
| Washington County | 4,897 | $50,578 | $2,388 | 4.7% | 13.5% |
| Hertford County | 8,353 | $57,913 | $2,669 | 4.6% | 12.6% |
| Halifax County | 20,139 | $56,287 | $2,532 | 4.5% | 13.1% |
| Chowan County | 6,216 | $65,995 | $2,909 | 4.4% | 12.9% |
| Scotland County | 12,224 | $56,068 | $2,418 | 4.3% | 12.1% |
Next to North Carolina in the ranking
More
Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do North Carolina households spend on energy?
2.1% for all households ($1,894 of $88,838) and 8.4% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in North Carolina?
Households under 30% of median income: 17.8%, 447,385 homes spending $1,594 on $8,975.
How many North Carolina homes get LIHEAP heating help?
132,375 in FY2024, 12 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole North Carolina energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.6% of 2.1%; gas and other fuel are the rest.