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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carolina Beach | Town | 5,706 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1973, c. 376 SL 1981, c. 842 | |
Kingstown | Town | 681 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1989, c. 632 | |
Manteo | Town | 1,434 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 66 Pr. 1907, c. 198 SL 1993, c. 108 GS 160A-101 | |
Archer Lodge | Town | 4,292 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-466 | |
Glen Alpine | Town | 1,517 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 61 SL 1989, c. 131 | |
Ossipee | Town | 543 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-137. | |
Mooresville | Town | 32,711 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Primary | SL 1975, c. 239 GS 160A-101 | Four commissioners are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Wendell | Town | 5,845 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 107 | |
Carolina Shores | Town | 3,048 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-75 SL 2003-78 | Three commissioners are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. |
Southern Shores | Town | 2,714 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1979, c. 203 | |
Marietta | Town | 175 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 111 | |
Black Mountain | Town | 7,848 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 747 SL 1969, c. 1034 GS 160A-101 SL 2019-27 | Elections are held in even numbered years (SL 2019-27) |
High Shoals | City | 696 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 317 GS 160A-101 | |
Drexel | Town | 1,858 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 24 GS 160A-66 160A-101 | |
Rural Hall | Town | 2,937 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1100 GS 160A-101 | |
Asheboro | Town | 25,012 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1967, c. 481 SL 1989(90), c. 921 GS 160A-101 | |
Clayton | Town | 16,116 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 983 GS 160A-101 | |
Tarboro | Town | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 73 | |
Oxford | City | 8,461 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 971 | |
Morehead City | Town | 8,661 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 879 GS 160A-101 | |
Wentworth | Town | 2,807 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-322 | |
Carrboro | Town | 19,582 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 476 | |
Southport | City | 2,833 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 659 | |
Sparta | Town | 1,770 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Mun. Bd. Control 1924 | |
Marion | City | 7,838 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 101 | |
Bladenboro | Town | 1,750 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1974, c. 1270 GS 160A-101 | |
Highlands | Town | 924 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1991, c. 519 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Asheville | City | 83,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 30 SL 1969, c. 165 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1931, c. 121 SL 2018-123 | Asheville holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (SL 2018-123). One council member is at-large; the remaining five members are elected from districts. (SL 2018-123) |
Red Cross | Town | 742 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-56. SL 2015-253 | Red Cross municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Morganton | City | 16,918 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2014-12 SL 1975 c. 180 SL 1998-81 | |
Wesley Chapel | Village | 7,463 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-43 | The town board employs an administrator to supervise town operations. |
Carthage | Town | 2,205 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-239 | Although the town chater, SL 1999-239, styles the town governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. |
Blowing Rock | Town | 1,241 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 419 GS 160A-101 | |
Hildebran | Town | 2,023 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 212 SL 1973, c. 433 SL 1993, c. 238 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Rutherford College | Town | 1,341 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 452 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Laurel Park | Town | 2,180 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2000-8 | |
Cleveland | Town | 871 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1927, c. 160 SL 1979(80), c. 1171 SL 1981, c. 262 | |
Red Oak | Town | 3,430 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 799 SL 1989(90), c. 1035 | |
Morrisville | Town | 18,576 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 776 SL 1975, c. 802 GS 160A-101 | Four commissioners are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. |
West Jefferson | Town | 1,299 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 326 | Although the West Jefferson charter states that the town operates under the mayor-council form of government, the town actually operates under the council-manager form. |
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. |
Farmville | Town | 4,654 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 406 GS 160A-101 | |
Marshall | Town | 872 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 165 Pr. 1913, c. 232 Pr. 1923, c. 35 GS 160A-101 | |
Hillsborough | Town | 6,087 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 351 GS 160A-101 | |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
Laurinburg | City | 15,962 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 586 SL 1995, c. 65 GS 160A-101 | Four council members are elected from districts and one is elected at large. |
Atkinson | Town | 299 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1921, c. 163 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-44 | |
Graham | City | 14,153 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 339 GS 160A-101 | |
Clinton | Town | 8,639 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985(86), c. 943 SL 1989(90), c. 887 | |
Red Springs | Town | 3,428 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c. 1252 SL 1951, c. 344 SL 1957, c. 457 SL 1969, c. 212 | |
Morven | Town | 511 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1947, c. 765 SL 2006-147 | |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 | |
Flat Rock | Village | 3,114 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1995, c. 48 | |
Marshville | Town | 2,402 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 313 SL 1973, c. 652 SL 2000-62 SL 2010-21 | The council 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 | |
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. |
Hobgood | Town | 348 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 160 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all employees. The 1982 act of the General Assembly calls for two-year terms of the town board, but in fact board members are elected to four-year staggered terms. |
Durham | City | 228,330 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1975, c. 671 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected from residence districts, and three are elected at large. |
Saint Helena | Village | 389 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101 | |
Lawndale | Town | 606 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 492 | |
Grandfather Village | Village | 25 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 419 | |
Clyde | Town | 1,223 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1889, c. 189 SL 1959, c. 1107 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Reidsville | City | 14,520 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90) c. 957 SL 1993, c. 306 | Four council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Mount Airy | City | 10,388 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 2003-281 | Four commissioners are elected from residence districts and one is elected at large. |
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. |
Castalia | Town | 268 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 952 | |
White Lake | Town | 802 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-150 | |
Caswell Beach | Town | 398 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 293 GS 160A-101 | |
Fletcher | Town | 7,187 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1989, c. 44 GS 160A-101 | |
Spindale | Town | 4,321 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 378 GS 160A-101 | |
Marvin | Village | 5,579 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993(94), c. 641 | The council employs a village administrator to supervise all employees. |
Boiling Spring Lakes | City | 5,372 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1977, c. 62 | |
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. |
Granite Falls | Town | 4,722 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 382 | |
Coats | Town | 2,112 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 362 SL 1969, c. 160 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |