Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities

Name Style Population Form of Gov. Governing Body # Mem. Mayor Selectionsort descending Mayor Term Board Selection Board Term Election Method Statutory Citations Notes
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
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
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.
Rolesville Town 3,786 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 PL 1941, c. 84 SL 1977, c. 346
Speed Town 80 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1923, c. 169 SL 1957, c. 279
Boonville Town 1,222 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1949, c 363 SL 1981(82), c. 1143 SL 2017-56 Boonville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Mars Hill Town 1,869 Mayor Council Aldermen 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1953, c. 890
Pleasant Garden Town 4,489 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Primary SL 1997-344 SL 2009-167 The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
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
Gaston Town 1,152 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1949, c. 1153 GS 160A-66
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.
Bailey Town 569 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1967, c. 184
Laurel Park Town 2,180 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2000-8
Norman Town 138 Mayor Council Council Members 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. Ex. 1913, c. 74 GS 160A-101 Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Farmville Town 4,654 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 406 GS 160A-101
Waynesville Town 9,869 Council Manager Aldermen 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1995, c. 126
Kernersville Town 23,123 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1989, c. 381 GS 160A-101
Morven Town 511 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1947, c. 765 SL 2006-147
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)
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
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.
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,
Bostic Town 386 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 Pr. 1913, c. 263 Although the town charter, Pr. 1913, c. 263, styles the town governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
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
Plymouth Town 3,878 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years D 2 Plurality SL 1995, c. 325 SL 2001-51
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
Gastonia City 71,741 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Plurality SL 1991, c. 557 SL 1993, c. 136 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
Bakersville Town 464 Mayor Council Council Members 2 Elected 4 Years AL 4S/2 Plurality SL 2014-56. SL 1955, c. 1291 SL 2005-43 SL 2014-56 The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.Two board members are elected every two years. The person receiving the highest number of votes receives a four-year term; the second-highest vote getter receives a two-year term.
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.
North Topsail Beach Town 743 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1989, c. 100
Fayetteville City 200,564 Council Manager Council Members 9 Elected 2 Years D 2 Primary SL 1979, c. 557, 794 GS 160A-101
Weaverville Town 3,120 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1909, c. 335 GS 160A-101
Kill Devil Hills Town 6,683 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1995(96), c. 735
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hendersonville City 13,137 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Primary GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 874
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.
Brevard City 7,609 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 415 SL 2007-65
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.
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.
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.
Gatesville Town 321 Mayor Council Council Members 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 2009-465 Pr. 1923, c. 88 SL 2009-17 Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Saint Helena Village 389 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101
Bald Head Island Village 158 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-324
Lawndale Town 606 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1953, c. 492
North Wilkesboro Town 4,245 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1977, c. 263
Flat Rock Village 3,114 Mayor Council Council Members 6 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Primary SL 1995, c. 48
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.
King City 6,904 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1983, c. 351 GS 160A-101
Thomasville City 26,757 Council Manager Council Members 7 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211
Mount Gilead Town 1,181 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 133 SL 1957, c. 163 GS 160A-101
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.
Earl Town 260 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1971, c. 787 Although incorporated as \\\"Earl Station\\\" the town now goes by \\\"Earl\\\". In addition, although the town charter refers to the governing board as board of commissioners, the board in fact is referred to as the town council.
Hertford Town 2,143 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1965, c. 586
Spindale Town 4,321 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 378 GS 160A-101
Bridgeton Town 454 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1989, c. 621
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.
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.
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.
Gibson Town 540 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1899, c. 163 SL 2005-61 Although the legislative acts cited style 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.
Banner Elk Town 1,028 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1925, c. 124 GS 160A-101
Leggett Town 60 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1973, c. 4 SL 1998-32 GS 160A-101
Northwest City 735 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1993, c. 222
Fletcher Town 7,187 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Primary SL 1989, c. 44 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.
Kings Mountain City 10,296 Council Manager Council Members 7 Elected 2 Years AL/D 2 Plurality SL 1947, c. 684 SL 1951, c. 836 SL 1969, c. 204 GS 160A-101 Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large.
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.
Kingstown Town 681 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Majority SL 1989, c. 632
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
Mount Holly City 13,656 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 212
Roseboro Town 1,191 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1891, c. 279 SL 1995, c. 18

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