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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zebulon | Town | 4,433 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 386 GS 160A-101 | |
Youngsville | Town | 1,157 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | PL 1874-75, c. 111 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Yanceyville | Town | 2,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 501 SL 2000-86 | |
Yadkinville | Town | 2,959 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 10 SL 1979, c. 280 GS 160A-101 | The town has adopted the council-manager system by ordinance. |
Wrightsville Beach | Town | 2,477 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 611 | |
Woodland | Town | 809 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 136 GS 163-279 | |
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. |
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. |
Winterville | Town | 9,269 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1993(94), c. 603 | |
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. |
Wingate | Town | 3,491 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 55 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Winfall | Town | 594 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 342, 773 GS 160A-101 | |
Windsor | Town | 3,630 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1963, c. 237 SL 1943, c. 253 SL 1965, c. 564 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Wilson\'s Mills | Town | 2,277 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1996 (2d extra), c. 12 | |
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 | |
Wilmington | City | 106,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 495 GS 160A-101 | |
Williamston | Town | 5,511 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 129 SL 1991, c. 374 GS 160A-101 | Four commissioners are elected from districts and one is elected at large. The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Wilkesboro | Town | 3,413 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1889, c. 240 SL 1979, c. 645 | Although the Wilkesboro charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
Whitsett | Town | 590 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 684 | |
Whiteville | City | 5,394 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101 | |
White Lake | Town | 802 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-150 | |
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. |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 | |
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. |
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. |
Wentworth | Town | 2,807 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-322 | |
Wendell | Town | 5,845 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 107 | |
Weldon | Town | 1,655 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 83 SL 1965, c. 131 GS 160A-101 | |
Weddington | Town | 9,459 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 256 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Webster | Town | 363 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 423 SL 1957, c. 60 SL 1977, c. 171 | Although the Webster town charter styles the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. |
Weaverville | Town | 3,120 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 335 GS 160A-101 | |
Waynesville | Town | 9,869 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 126 | |
Waxhaw | Town | 9,859 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1919, c. 57 PL 1941, c. 255 GS 160A-101 | |
Watha | Town | 190 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 158 SL 1989(90), c. 884 SL 2005-141 | |
Washington Park | Town | 451 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control SL 1949, c. 48 | |
Washington | City | 9,744 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1995 (96) c. 736 | |
Warsaw | Town | 3,054 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 972 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1885, c. 91 | |
Warrenton | Town | 862 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 201 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Walstonburg | Town | 219 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 45 | |
Walnut Creek | Village | 835 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 687 | The council employs a village administrator who supervises all departments. |
Walnut Cove | Town | 1,425 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 447 | |
Wallburg | Town | 3,047 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2004-37. | |
Wallace | Town | 3,880 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 94 SL 1997-321 | |
Walkertown | Town | 4,675 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 936 GS 160A-101 | |
Wake Forest | Town | 30,117 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 273 SL 1993, c. 118 | |
Wagram | Town | 840 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 161 SL 1981, c. 404 | |
Wadesboro | Town | 5,813 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 297 SL 2003-190 | |
Wade | Town | 556 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1913, c. 408 SL 1969, c. 89 | |
Waco | Town | 321 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 147 GS 160A-101 | |
Vass | Town | 720 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c 407 SL 1953, c. 817 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Varnamtown | Town | 541 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1003 | |
Vandemere | Town | 254 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 311 GS 163-279 | |
Vanceboro | Town | 1,005 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1929, c. 26 | |
Valdese | Town | 4,490 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 847 SL 2000-28 | |
Unionville | Town | 5,929 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-151 SL 1999-90 | |
Turkey | Town | 292 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 82 | |
Tryon | Town | 1,646 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 441 GS 160A-101 | |
Troy | Town | 3,189 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 153 Pr. 1913, c. 342 SL 1957, c. 125 GS 160A-101 SL 2017-12 | Troy municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Troutman | Town | 2,383 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 144 | |
Trinity | City | 6,614 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-44 GS 160A-101 | |
Trenton | Town | 287 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 174 SL 1949, c. 879 | |
Trent Woods | Town | 4,155 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 718 GS 163-279 | |
Topsail Beach | Town | 368 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, cc. 67, 284 SL 1977, c. 272 SL 1989, c. 153 | |
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. |
Thomasville | City | 26,757 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211 | |
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. |
Taylortown | Town | 722 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 601 | |
Taylorsville | Town | 2,098 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1887, c. 86 PL 1939, c. 312 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Tarboro | Town | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 73 | |
Tar Heel | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 763 | |
Tabor City | Town | 2,511 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 40 Pr. 1935, c. 18 SL 1957, c 255 GS 160A-101 | |
Sylva | Town | 2,588 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 72 SL 1957, c. 27 SL 1961, c. 31 SL 2000-30 | |
Swepsonville | Town | 1,154 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | 1997-448 | |
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 | |
Surf City | Town | 1,853 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 829 GS 160A-101 |