Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
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Name | Style | Population | Form of Gov. | Governing Body | # Mem. | Mayor Selection | Mayor Term | Board Selection | Board Term | Election Method | Statutory Citations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bethel | Town | 1,577 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 609 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1873-74, c. 20 | |
Teachey | Town | 376 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 253 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who also acts as clerk. |
Spencer | City | 3,267 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 37 PL 1939, c. 222 SL 1951, c. 325 SL 1957, c. 870 GS 160A-101, | |
Henderson | City | 15,368 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 2 | Majority | SL 1967, c. 780 SL 1997-62 GS 160A-101 | Four council members are elected from districts, and four are elected at large. |
Wilson | City | 49,167 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 136 SL 1979, c. 334 GS 160A-101 | |
Plymouth | Town | 3,878 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 325 SL 2001-51 | |
Elm City | Town | 1,298 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 152 | |
Spencer Mountain | Town | 37 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 473 | Although the Spencer Mountain charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
Polkton | Town | 3,375 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 2003-328 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
McFarlan | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 102 PL 1947, c. 771 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Canton | Town | 4,227 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 90 Pr. 1911, c. 178 Pr. 1935, c. 119 GS 160A-101 | |
Lilesville | Town | 536 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 764 | |
Kings Mountain | City | 10,296 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 684 SL 1951, c. 836 SL 1969, c. 204 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Arapahoe | Town | 556 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control SL 1969, c. 200 | |
Emerald Isle | Town | 3,655 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 526 GS 160A-101 | |
Creswell | Town | 276 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 276 SL 1993(94), c. 626 GS 163-279 | |
Mesic | Town | 220 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 626 GS 160A-101 | |
Walkertown | Town | 4,675 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 936 GS 160A-101 | |
Dallas | Town | 4,488 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 342 GS 160A-101 | |
Black Creek | Town | 769 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1870, c. 104 SL 1951, c. 485 GS 160A-101 | |
Trent Woods | Town | 4,155 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 718 GS 163-279 | |
Spring Lake | Town | 11,964 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 742 GS 160A-101 | |
Powellsville | Town | 276 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | Pr. 1919, c. 94 GS 163-290 | |
Micro | Town | 441 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 762 | |
Salisbury | City | 33,662 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 205 | |
Oak City | Town | 317 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 155 PL 1953, c. 66 Pr. 1891, c. 100 GS 163-290 | |
Linden | Town | 130 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 398 SL 2001-472 | |
Trenton | Town | 287 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 174 SL 1949, c. 879 | |
Middleburg | Town | 133 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | ||
Godwin | Town | 139 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 397 SL 1947, c. 243 GS 163-279 SL 2009-5 | |
Davidson | Town | 10,944 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1879, c. 32 SL 1957, c. 36 | |
Charlotte | City | 731,424 | Council Manager | Council Members | 11 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Partisan | SL 2000-26 | Seven council members are elected from districts and four are elected at large. |
Everetts | Town | 164 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1893, c. 321 SL 1979, c. 82 | |
Walnut Cove | Town | 1,425 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 447 | |
Askewville | Town | 241 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1951, c. 1153 | |
Staley | Town | 393 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 386 GS 163-279 | |
Winton | Town | 769 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 674 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Goldston | Town | 268 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 108 SL 1957, c. 704 GS 160A-101 | |
Oakboro | Town | 1,859 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 51 SL 2015-253 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Oakboro municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Walstonburg | Town | 219 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 45 | |
Love Valley | Town | 90 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Atlantic Beach | Town | 1,495 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1937, c. 433 GS 160A-101 | Although the town charter refers to the governing board as the board of commissioners, in fact the town refers to it as the town council. |
Stanfield | Town | 1,486 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 485 SL 2015-253 | Stanfield municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Woodland | Town | 809 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 136 GS 163-279 | |
Raleigh | City | 403,892 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Majority | SL 1949, c. 1184 SL 1957, c. 121 SL 1973, c. 319 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Saratoga | Town | 408 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 462 SL 1977, c. 479 GS 163-290 | |
Oriental | Town | 900 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 4 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1899, c. 184 SL 1991(92), c. 878 | |
Kittrell | Town | 467 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1885, c. 136 GS 163-279 | |
Turkey | Town | 292 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 82 | |
Aulander | Town | 895 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1933, c. 95 SL 1967, c. 20 GS 163-290, PL 1939, c. 288 | |
Hoffman | Town | 588 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 1002 | |
Faith | Town | 807 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 159 SL 1979(80), c. 1111 | |
Washington | City | 9,744 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1995 (96) c. 736 | |
Dover | Town | 401 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 375 GS 163-290 | |
Bolivia | Town | 143 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1961, c. 366 | |
Clarkton | Town | 837 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 440 SL 1985, c. 36 | |
Ranlo | Town | 3,434 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 776 | |
Minnesott Beach | Town | 440 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 890 | |
Seaboard | Town | 632 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pub. 1877, c. 208 GS 160A-101 GS 163-279, -290 | |
Falcon | Town | 258 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 318 | |
Washington Park | Town | 451 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control SL 1949, c. 48 | |
Mint Hill | Town | 22,722 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 73 GS 160A-101 | |
Greenevers | Town | 634 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Falkland | Town | 96 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1947, c. 1059 SL 1985(86), c. 832 | |
Fallston | Town | 607 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 784 | Although the town charter, SL 1973, c. 784, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Pantego | Town | 179 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1881, c. 93 | |
Dublin | Town | 338 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1951, c. 509 | |
Stedman | Town | 1,028 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 67 SL 1953, c. 409 | |
Parkton | Town | 436 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1945, c. 803 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
Macon | Town | 119 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1905, c. 246 | |
Duck | Town | 369 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 2001-394. | |
Stem | Town | 463 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 183 | |
Hope Mills | Town | 15,176 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 650 SL 2016-66 | |
Greensboro | City | 269,666 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Primary | SL 1959, c. 1137 SL 1973, c. 213 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts, and three are elected at large. |
Greenville | City | 84,554 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 272 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts and one at large. |