Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
Displaying 301 - 375 of 552 NC cities - View Summary Data - Start a New Search - Export table (CSV)
Name | Style | Population | Form of Gov. | Governing Body | # Mem. | Mayor Selection | Mayor Term | Board Selection | Board Term | Election Method | Statutory Citations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Turkey | Town | 292 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 82 | |
Mount Pleasant | Town | 1,652 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 77 Pr. 1931, c. 148 | |
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. |
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. |
Stanley | Town | 3,556 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 233 GS 160A-101 | |
Wrightsville Beach | Town | 2,477 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 611 | |
Leggett | Town | 60 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 4 SL 1998-32 GS 160A-101 | |
Huntersville | Town | 46,773 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 46 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Cape Carteret | Town | 1,917 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 727 SL 1963, c. 929 SL 1969, c. 284 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Rennert | Town | 383 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 300 SL 2001-3 | Although the Rennert town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
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 | |
Biltmore Forest | Town | 1,343 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 32 GS 160A-66 S.L. 2019-27 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all town departments. The jurisdiction holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (S.L. 2019-27) |
Fletcher | Town | 7,187 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1989, c. 44 GS 160A-101 | |
Peachland | Town | 437 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-328 | |
Mount Holly | City | 13,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 212 | |
Fountain | Town | 427 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1923, c. 259 PL 1951, c. 724 | |
Archdale | City | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 667 SL 2007-41 | Four council members are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. In addition, Archdale holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
East Arcadia | Town | 487 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 954 | |
Unionville | Town | 5,929 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-151 SL 1999-90 | |
Murfreesboro | Town | 2,835 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 445 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Matthews | Town | 27,198 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | Pr. 1879, c. 60 Pr. 1911, c. 172 SL 1951, c. 179 GS 160A-101 | |
Cofield | Village | 413 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 587 | |
Stantonsburg | Town | 784 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1212 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Leland | Town | 13,527 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 564 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
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. |
Rhodhiss | Town | 1,070 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1961, c. 471 SL 1985, c. 94 | |
Washington | City | 9,744 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1995 (96) c. 736 | |
Grover | Town | 708 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 812 GS 160A-101 | |
Biscoe | Town | 1,700 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 24 SL 1963, c. 656 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Fontana Dam | Town | 22 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 2011-110 GS 160A-101 | |
Peletier | Town | 644 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the council, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. | |
Four Oaks | Town | 1,921 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 65 GS 160A-101 | |
Archer Lodge | Town | 4,292 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-466 | |
East Bend | Town | 612 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 611 Pr. 1887, c. 144 SL 1985, c. 104 SL 2017-56 | Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the most votes receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term. East Bend municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Murphy | Town | 1,627 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 261 GS 160A-101 | |
Maxton | Town | 2,426 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 731 GS 160A-101 | |
Colerain | Town | 204 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 290 GS 163-290 | |
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. |
Yanceyville | Town | 2,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 501 SL 2000-86 | |
Lenoir | City | 18,228 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1977, c. 118 SL 1997-262 | |
Indian Trail | Town | 33,518 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-257 | |
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. |
Seaboard | Town | 632 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pub. 1877, c. 208 GS 160A-101 GS 163-279, -290 | |
Rich Square | Town | 958 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | Pr. 1883, c. 128 GS 160A-66 | |
Washington Park | Town | 451 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control SL 1949, c. 48 | |
Halifax | Town | 234 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. Act 1786, c. 35 | |
Black Creek | Town | 769 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1870, c. 104 SL 1951, c. 485 GS 160A-101 | |
Pembroke | Town | 2,973 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 171 SL 1974, c. 1289 GS 160A-66, -101 GS 163-279 SL 1961, c. 97 | |
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 | |
East Laurinburg | Town | 0 | Council Manager | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 221 GS 160A-101 | The Town of East Laurinburg was dissolved effective June 30, 2022. |
Nags Head | Town | 2,757 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 808 SL 1963, c. 148 SL 1969, c. 62 GS 160A-101 | |
Mayodan | Town | 2,478 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 501 GS 160A-101 | |
Columbia | Town | 891 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 PL 1941, c. 423 | |
Statesville | City | 24,532 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Majority | SL 1977, c. 289 SL 1985, c. 570 GS 160A-101 | Six council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
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. |
Lewiston Woodville | Town | 549 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 266 | Four council members are elected from residence districts and one is elected at large. |
Jackson | Town | 513 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 286 | |
Carrboro | Town | 19,582 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 476 | |
Seagrove | Town | 228 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 270 | |
Richfield | Town | 613 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 1066 SL 1961, c. 527 GS 163-279 SL 2015-253 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Richfield municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
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 | |
Hamilton | Town | 408 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1945, c. 302 | |
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) |
Pikeville | Town | 678 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 108 SL 1977, c. 20 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Pilot Mountain | Town | 1,477 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 28 GS 160A-101 2012-47 | Pilot Mountain municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Franklin | Town | 3,845 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 26 Pr. 1935, c. 5 GS 160A-66, -101 | The board of aldermen 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) |
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. |
Nashville | Town | 5,352 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 320 SL 1973, c. 343 GS 160A-101 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Maysville | Town | 1,019 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1897, c. 171 GS 163-279 | |
Columbus | Town | 999 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1985, c. 46 | Three council members are elected every two years. The person receiving the highest vote receives a four-year term; the next two finishers receive two-year terms. |