Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
Displaying 1 - 75 of 552 NC cities - View Summary Data - Start a New Search - Export table (CSV)
Name | Style | Population | Form of Gov. | Governing Body | # Mem. | Mayor Selection | Mayor Term | Board Selection | Board Term | Election Method | Statutory Citations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Erwin | Town | 4,405 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1967, c. 12 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. |
Dobbins Heights | Town | 866 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1983, c. 658 | |
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. |
Dortches | Town | 935 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1977, c. 358 | |
Kingstown | Town | 681 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1989, c. 632 | |
Statesville | City | 24,532 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Majority | SL 1977, c. 289 SL 1985, c. 570 GS 160A-101 | Six council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Dunn | City | 9,263 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Majority | SL 1969, c. 818 SL 1971, c. 104 GS 160A-101 | |
Monroe | City | 32,797 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 2000-35 | |
Sharpsburg | Town | 2,024 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Majority | SL 1957, c. 393 Pr. 1913, c. 452 GS 163-290 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
New Bern | City | 29,524 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Majority | SL 1985, c. 64 SL 1957, c. 1281 SL 1983, c. 174 GS 160A-101 | |
Elizabeth City | City | 18,683 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Majority | SL 2001-227 | |
Roxboro | City | 8,362 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Majority | SL 1997-282 | |
Rocky Mount | City | 57,477 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Majority | SL 2003-327 | |
Cary | Town | 135,234 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Majority | SL 2005-117 | Four council members are elected from districts and two are elected at large. |
Lincolnton | Town | 10,486 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Partisan | SL 1979, c. 341 SL 1981(82), c. 1134 SL 1983, c. 58 SL 2017, c. 62 | Lincolnton holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (SL 2017-62). |
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. |
Sanford | City | 28,094 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Partisan | SL 1967, c. 650 SL 1997-245 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 SL 2013-220 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Kinston | City | 21,677 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Partisan | SL 1987, c. 169 | |
Winston-Salem | City | 229,617 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Partisan | Pr. 1927, c. 232 Pr. 1933, c. 60 SL 1947, c. 601 SL 1965, c. 53 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-141 | Winston-Salem municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Harrells | Town | 202 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 466 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of alderman. |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 | |
Ronda | Town | 417 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control GS 160A-101 S.C. 2019-27 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Elections are held in even-numbered years. (S.L. 2019-73) |
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, | |
Franklinville | Town | 1,164 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 1017 | |
Casar | Town | 297 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 775 PL 1903, c. 359 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 | |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
McDonald | Town | 113 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 2014-24 Pr. 1911, c. 443 GS 163-279 SL 2014-24 | |
Elm City | Town | 1,298 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 152 | |
Boardman | Town | 157 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 876 | |
North Topsail Beach | Town | 743 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 100 | |
Liberty | Town | 2,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 579 | |
Cramerton | Town | 4,165 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2013 178 SL 1967, c. 1061 SL 2013-178 | |
Jamesville | Town | 491 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 232 GS 160A-101 | |
Atkinson | Town | 299 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1921, c. 163 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-44 | |
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. |
Thomasville | City | 26,757 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211 | |
Cedar Point | Town | 1,279 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1005 | Although the town charter, SL 1987(88), c. 1005, styles the governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. There will be a change from 4 to 5 governing board members in the 2021 election. |
Harrellsville | Town | 106 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1955, c. 92 PL 1983, c. 138 | Although the legislative acts cited above style the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Whitakers | Town | 744 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 996 SL 1979, c. 311 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Roper | Town | 611 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 24 GS 160A-101 SL 2008-104 | Although the Roper charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
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. |
Fremont | Town | 1,255 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Plurality | SL 2009-292 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Valdese | Town | 4,490 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 847 SL 2000-28 | |
Castalia | Town | 268 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 952 | |
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. |
Saint Helena | Village | 389 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Elon | Town | 9,419 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 109 | |
Bogue | Town | 684 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 286 | Although the town charter, SL 1995, c. 286, styles the town governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the governing board as the board of commissioners. |
North Wilkesboro | Town | 4,245 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1977, c. 263 | |
Lilesville | Town | 536 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 764 | |
Creedmoor | City | 4,124 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 826 GS 160A-101 | |
Jefferson | Town | 1,611 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 552 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Tobaccoville | Village | 2,441 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 232 | The council employs a village administrator who supervises all departments. |
Cedar Rock | Town | 300 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-317 | |
Harrisburg | Town | 11,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 111 GS 160A-101 | |
White Lake | Town | 802 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-150 | |
Rose Hill | Town | 1,626 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 67 SL 1969, c. 330 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Spindale | Town | 4,321 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 378 GS 160A-101 | |
Fuquay-Varina | Town | 17,937 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 167 SL 1959, c. 774 | |
Vanceboro | Town | 1,005 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1929, c. 26 | |
Caswell Beach | Town | 398 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 293 GS 160A-101 | |
Polkville | Town | 545 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 178 SL 1979, c. 266 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Saint Pauls | Town | 2,035 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 874 SL 1993, c. 158 | Four commissioners are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Mebane | City | 11,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 514 GS 160A-101 | |
Emerald Isle | Town | 3,655 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 526 GS 160A-101 | |
Boiling Spring Lakes | City | 5,372 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1977, c. 62 | |
Northwest | City | 735 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 222 | |
Lillington | Town | 3,194 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1903, c. 252 SL 1959, c. 901 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
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 | |
Jonesville | Town | 2,285 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-16 SL 2017-56 | Jonesville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
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 |