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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valdese | Town | 4,490 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 847 SL 2000-28 | |
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. |
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 | |
Fairview | Town | 3,324 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-428 | |
Old Fort | Town | 908 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 271 | |
Dobson | Town | 1,586 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 232 GS 160A-101 SL 2012, c. 47 | Dobson holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
White Lake | Town | 802 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-150 | |
Hertford | Town | 2,143 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 586 | |
Chocowinity | Town | 820 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 343 SL 2004-12 | |
Ramseur | Town | 1,692 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | Pr. 1895, c. 308 SL 1957, c. 108 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Leggett | Town | 60 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 4 SL 1998-32 GS 160A-101 | |
Kingstown | Town | 681 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1989, c. 632 | |
Dortches | Town | 935 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1977, c. 358 | |
Hickory | City | 40,010 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1961, c. 323 SL 1967, c. 404 | |
Claremont | Town | 1,352 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2005-54 SL 1961, c. 76 SL 1975, c. 97 GS 160A-101 | |
Broadway | Town | 1,229 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 548 SL 1997-416 SL 1999-230 SL 2000-39 | |
Gibsonville | Town | 6,410 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 392 | |
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. |
Bath | Town | 249 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2006-88 PL 1941, c. 175 SL 1959, c. 189 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Stovall | Town | 418 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 596 SL 2001-100 | |
Orrum | Town | 91 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 993 SL 2017-58 | |
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. |
Maxton | Town | 2,426 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 731 GS 160A-101 | |
Glen Alpine | Town | 1,517 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 61 SL 1989, c. 131 | |
Lenoir | City | 18,228 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1977, c. 118 SL 1997-262 | |
Sugar Mountain | Village | 198 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-242 SL 1985, c. 395 | |
Shelby | City | 20,323 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | PL1939, c. 252 SL 1961, c. 416, 509 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
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. |
Clayton | Town | 16,116 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 983 GS 160A-101 | |
Raynham | Town | 72 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 388 SL 1977, c. 16 GS 160A-101 SL 2017, c. 58 | |
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. |
Highlands | Town | 924 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1991, c. 519 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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 | |
Waco | Town | 321 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 147 GS 160A-101 | |
Goldsboro | City | 36,437 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Primary | SL 1973, c. 69 SL 1975, c. 245 SL 1985(86), c. 888 GS 160A-101 | |
Red Cross | Town | 742 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-56. SL 2015-253 | Red Cross municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Hildebran | Town | 2,023 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 212 SL 1973, c. 433 SL 1993, c. 238 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
McAdenville | Town | 651 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 GS 163-279, -290 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Red Oak | Town | 3,430 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 799 SL 1989(90), c. 1035 | |
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 | |
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 | |
Burgaw | Town | 3,872 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-247 | |
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 | |
Wadesboro | Town | 5,813 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 297 SL 2003-190 | |
Belhaven | Town | 1,688 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 714 | Although the town charter as enacted in SL 1969, c. 714, styles the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town itself actually styles it as the town council. |
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 | |
Flat Rock | Village | 3,114 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1995, c. 48 | |
Patterson Springs | Town | 622 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 129 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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. |
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 | |
Wilson\'s Mills | Town | 2,277 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1996 (2d extra), c. 12 | |
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. |
Reidsville | City | 14,520 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90) c. 957 SL 1993, c. 306 | Four council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
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 | |
Swepsonville | Town | 1,154 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | 1997-448 | |
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 | |
Ahoskie | Town | 5,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 609 GS 160A-101 SL 2009-31 | Four council members are elected from districts and one is elected at large. |
Snow Hill | Town | 1,595 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 58 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
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. |
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. |
Mebane | City | 11,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 514 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 | |
Granite Falls | Town | 4,722 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 382 | |
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. |
Lillington | Town | 3,194 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1903, c. 252 SL 1959, c. 901 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
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 | |
East Arcadia | Town | 487 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 954 | |
Winfall | Town | 594 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 342, 773 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Belwood | Town | 950 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114 | |
Lincolnton | Town | 10,486 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Partisan | SL 1979, c. 341 SL 1981(82), c. 1134 SL 1983, c. 58 SL 2017, c. 62 | Lincolnton holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (SL 2017-62). |
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 | |
Murphy | Town | 1,627 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 261 GS 160A-101 |