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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | |
Rosman | Town | 576 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 172 Pr. 1905, c. 105 GS 160A-101 GS 163-279 | |
Connelly Springs | Town | 1,669 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 528 SL 1993, c. 37 | |
Granite Quarry | Town | 2,930 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-203 SL 2007-89 | |
Elk Park | Town | 452 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 248 Pr. 1889, c. 256 | Although the original charter of the town, Pr. 1889, c. 256, and the 1951 act amending the charter, both styled the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
Brookford | Town | 382 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 109 GS 163-279 | |
Southport | City | 2,833 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 659 | |
Ellenboro | Town | 873 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-310 SL 1983, c. 425 | Although the town charter, SL 1983, c. 425, and SL 2007-310 each style the governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
Richlands | Town | 1,520 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 47 SL 1949, c. 476 | |
Bryson City | Town | 1,424 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 207 SL 1955, c. 284 GS 160A-101 | |
Hope Mills | Town | 15,176 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 650 SL 2016-66 | |
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 | |
Woodfin | Town | 6,123 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 271 SL 1979, c. 324 SL 1983, c. 291 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Hot Springs | Town | 560 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1929, c. 210 GS 163-279 | |
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, | |
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 | |
Elon | Town | 9,419 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 109 | |
Wrightsville Beach | Town | 2,477 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 611 | |
Grimesland | Town | 441 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1893, c. 222 SL 1957, c. 1153 | |
Newland | Town | 698 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 222 Pr. 1913, c. 275 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Crossnore | Town | 192 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 832 | Three aldermen are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the third finisher receives a two-year term. |
Alamance | Village | 951 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 840 | |
Dallas | Town | 4,488 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 342 GS 160A-101 | |
Spring Lake | Town | 11,964 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 742 GS 160A-101 | |
Rockwell | Town | 2,108 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 17 SL 1967, c. 37 GS 163-279 | |
Andrews | Town | 1,781 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 135 SL 1959, c. 193 Pr. 1930, c. 187 SL 1977, c. 209 GS 160A-101 | The town board employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Long View | Town | 4,871 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 789 GS 160A-101 | |
Waynesville | Town | 9,869 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 126 | |
Troutman | Town | 2,383 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 144 | |
Harmony | Town | 531 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Dillsboro | Town | 232 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1889, c. 177 Pr. 1907, c. 274 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
North Topsail Beach | Town | 743 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 100 | |
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 | |
Jefferson | Town | 1,611 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 552 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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 | |
Dover | Town | 401 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 375 GS 163-290 | |
Garner | Town | 25,745 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 333 GS 160A-101 | |
Carrboro | Town | 19,582 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 476 | |
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) |
Drexel | Town | 1,858 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 24 GS 160A-66 160A-101 | |
Kernersville | Town | 23,123 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 381 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Hemby Bridge | Town | 1,520 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-143 SL 2007-101 | |
Proctorville | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 306 GS 160A-101 PL 1913, c. 369 SL 2014 25 | |
Madison | Town | 2,246 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 289 SL 2004-54 | |
Atkinson | Town | 299 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1921, c. 163 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-44 | |
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. |
Old Fort | Town | 908 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 271 | |
Maggie Valley | Town | 1,150 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1337 SL 1995(96), c. 558 GS 160A-101 | |
Vanceboro | Town | 1,005 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1929, c. 26 | |
Randleman | City | 4,113 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S/2 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1905, c. 209 SL 1959, c. 701 | Four aldermen are elected from residence districts and serve four-year staggered terms. One is elected at large and serves a two-year term. |
Landis | Town | 3,109 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 213 SL 1987, c. 13 SL 2003-126 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employ a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Gibsonville | Town | 6,410 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 392 | |
Shallotte | Town | 3,675 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 235 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Hickory | City | 40,010 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1961, c. 323 SL 1967, c. 404 | |
Lansing | Town | 158 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Varnamtown | Town | 541 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1003 | |
Glen Alpine | Town | 1,517 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 61 SL 1989, c. 131 | |
Bolivia | Town | 143 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1961, c. 366 | |
Columbia | Town | 891 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 PL 1941, c. 423 | |
Bolton | Town | 691 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 271 | |
Waco | Town | 321 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 147 GS 160A-101 | |
East Spencer | Town | 1,534 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 374 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |
Mars Hill | Town | 1,869 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 890 | |
Hillsborough | Town | 6,087 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 351 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Swansboro | Town | 2,663 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 207 GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 561 SL 1955, c. 443 | |
Parmele | Town | 278 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1893, c. 60 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-125 | |
Sims | Town | 282 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 58 SL 1953, c. 292 | |
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. |
Lawndale | Town | 606 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 492 | |
Wagram | Town | 840 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 161 SL 1981, c. 404 |