Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities

Name Style Population Form of Gov. Governing Body # Mem. Mayor Selection Mayor Term Board Selectionsort ascending Board Term Election Method Statutory Citations Notes
Troutman Town 2,383 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 144
Pine Knoll Shores Town 1,339 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 265 GS 160A-101
Hillsborough Town 6,087 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 351 GS 160A-101
Burgaw Town 3,872 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2001-247
Elm City Town 1,298 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1955, c. 152
Graham City 14,153 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 339 GS 160A-101
Midway Town 4,679 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2006-37.
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
Louisburg Town 3,359 Mayor Council Council Members 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1961, c. 1022 GS 160A-101 The council employs a town administrator to supervise 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
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.
Pine Level Town 1,700 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1907, c. 425 SL 1957, c. 50
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.
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.
New London Town 600 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1907, c. 91 SL 2001-131 SL 2015-253 New London municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Burlington City 49,963 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4 Primary SL 1961, c. 119 GS 160A-101 SL 2014-74
Elon Town 9,419 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 109
Grandfather Village Village 25 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987, c. 419
Saratoga Town 408 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1947, c. 462 SL 1977, c. 479 GS 163-290
Belmont City 10,076 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1921, c. 22 Pr. 1935, c. 161 SL 1947, c. 125 SL 1969, c. 930 GS 160A-101 SC 2017, c. 48
Creedmoor City 4,124 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1969, c. 826 GS 160A-101
Love Valley Town 90 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Mun. Bd. Control
Robbins Town 1,097 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1935, c. 63 SL 1979, c. 230 160A-101
Aberdeen Town 6,350 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1975, c. 147 The mayor term for the 2019 election will be 2 years. Beginning in 2021, the mayor will be elected for a term of 4 years.
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.
Kinston City 21,677 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Partisan SL 1987, c. 169
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.
Tryon Town 1,646 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1971, c. 441 GS 160A-101
Pinebluff Town 1,337 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1979, c. 243 GS 160A-101
Hoffman Town 588 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1953, c. 1002
Vanceboro Town 1,005 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1929, c. 26
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.
Burnsville Town 1,693 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Mun. Bd. Control 1922 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 Changed to council-manager form of government August 6, 2021.
Emerald Isle Town 3,655 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1973, c. 526 GS 160A-101
Granite Falls Town 4,722 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 382
Milton Town 166 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 130 PL 1967, c. 207
Sawmills Town 5,240 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Primary SL 1987, c. 648 The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Belville Town 1,936 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 84 GS 160A-101 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
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
Lowell City 3,526 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1993, c. 111
Robbinsville Town 620 Mayor Council Council Members 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1923, c. 190 SL 1981, c. 194 Although the Robbinsville charter styles the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town actually styles the board as the council.
Cedar Rock Town 300 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-317
Kittrell Town 467 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality PL 1885, c. 136 GS 163-279
White Lake Town 802 Mayor Council Commissioners 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2009-150
Turkey Town 292 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 82
Pinehurst Village 13,124 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Mun. Bd. Control 1980 GS 160A-101
Holden Beach Town 575 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Mun. Bd. Control GS 160A-101
Vandemere Town 254 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1895, c. 311 GS 163-279
Stantonsburg Town 784 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977(78), c. 1212 GS 160A-101
Newport Town 4,150 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1927, c. 225 SL 1969, c. 495 GS 160A-101
Butner Town 7,591 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269
Granite Quarry Town 2,930 Council Manager Aldermen 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2003-203 SL 2007-89
Mineral Springs Town 2,639 Mayor Council Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1999-175
Scotland Neck Town 2,059 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1901, c. 342 PL 1941, c. 106 SL 1951, c. 667 SL 1957, c. 267 SL 1973, c. 382 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who acts as clerk and also supervises all departments.
Belwood Town 950 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114
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.
Lucama Town 1,108 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 117
Alamance Village 951 Mayor Council Aldermen 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 840
Cerro Gordo Town 207 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 1044 Although the town charter, SL 1973, c. 1044, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Kitty Hawk Town 3,272 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 206 GS 160A-101
Whiteville City 5,394 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101
Unionville Town 5,929 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1998-151 SL 1999-90
Pinetops Town 1,374 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. Ex. 1921, c. 64 GS 160A-101 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Holly Ridge Town 1,268 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 87 GS 160A-101
Varnamtown Town 541 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1003
Star Town 876 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1957, c. 448 SL 2017-12 Star municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Newton City 12,968 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1989(90). c. 1042 GS 160A-101
Cajah\'s Mountain Town 2,823 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 2006-99 The charter does not specify if the chairperson serves for a term or at the pleasure of the council. The charter does not specify a form of government, but the town has always operated under the council-manager system.
Erwin Town 4,405 Council Manager Commissioners 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Majority SL 1967, c. 12 GS 160A-101
Grantsboro Town 688 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1997-446 SL 2011-83
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
Dallas Town 4,488 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1979, c. 342 GS 160A-101
Lumber Bridge Town 94 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1911, c. 99 SL 1967, c. 226 SL 1995(96), c. 570 Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Rockingham City 9,558 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S/2 Plurality SL 1974, c. 1265 SL 1995(96), c. 698 SL 2001-68 Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term.

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