Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities

Name Style Population Form of Gov. Governing Body # Mem.sort ascending Mayor Selection Mayor Term Board Selection Board Term Election Method Statutory Citations Notes
Robersonville Town 1,488 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL/D 2 Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 59 SL 1951, c. 48 GS 160A-101 Four council members are elected from two-member districts, and one is elected at large.
Chimney Rock Village 113 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1991, c. 444
Knightdale Town 11,401 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1927, c. 155 GS 160A-101
Franklinton Town 2,023 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1993, c. 160 SL 2007-138
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
Vandemere Town 254 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1895, c. 311 GS 163-279
Seven Devils Town 192 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S/2 Plurality SL 1979, c. 205 GS 160A-101 Three council members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the person finishing third receives a two-year term.
Goldston Town 268 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1907, c. 108 SL 1957, c. 704 GS 160A-101
Washington City 9,744 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1995 (96) c. 736
Dillsboro Town 232 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1889, c. 177 Pr. 1907, c. 274 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101
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
Harrells Town 202 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1969, c. 466 Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of alderman.
Whitsett Town 590 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1991, c. 684
Mayodan Town 2,478 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 501 GS 160A-101
Stoneville Town 1,056 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1983, c. 287 GS 160A-101 SL 2008-9 The council employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
Hillsborough Town 6,087 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 351 GS 160A-101
Ranlo Town 3,434 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1963, c. 776
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.
Jamesville Town 491 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1951, c. 232 GS 160A-101
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.
China Grove Town 3,563 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2002-42 Although the town charter, SL 2002-42, styles the governing board as the board of alderman, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Archer Lodge Town 4,292 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2009-466
Kure Beach Town 2,012 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1947, c. 906 SL 1975, c. 484 GS 160A-101
Saint Helena Village 389 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101
Franklinville Town 1,164 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1983(84), c. 1017
Varnamtown Town 541 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1003
Bayboro Town 1,263 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1903, c. 110 GS 160A-101
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.
Seven Springs Town 110 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1971, c. 21
Ossipee Town 543 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2002-137.
Washington Park Town 451 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Mun. Bd. Control SL 1949, c. 48
Macclesfield Town 471 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1949, c. 1124 GS 160A-101
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.
Chocowinity Town 820 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1959, c. 343 SL 2004-12
Grandfather Village Village 25 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987, c. 419
Dortches Town 935 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Majority SL 1977, c. 358
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
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.
Lake Lure Town 1,192 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987, c. 194
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.
Bunn Town 344 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1963, c. 690
Sugar Mountain Village 198 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2007-242 SL 1985, c. 395
Red Oak Town 3,430 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1961, c. 799 SL 1989(90), c. 1035
Falcon Town 258 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 318
Momeyer Town 224 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1991, c. 242 SL 1995, c. 212
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
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.
Granite Quarry Town 2,930 Council Manager Aldermen 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2003-203 SL 2007-89
Waynesville Town 9,869 Council Manager Aldermen 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1995, c. 126
Drexel Town 1,858 Council Manager Aldermen 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 24 GS 160A-66 160A-101
Maggie Valley Town 1,150 Council Manager Aldermen 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973(74), c. 1337 SL 1995(96), c. 558 GS 160A-101
Spruce Pine Town 2,175 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 335 SL 1995(96), c. 663 GS 160A-101
Atkinson Town 299 Mayor Council Aldermen 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1921, c. 163 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-44
Saluda City 713 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1933, c. 123 The board of commissioners employs a city administrator to supervise all departments.
Cooleemee Town 960 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 424
Haw River Town 2,298 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 234 SL 1973(74), c. 895 GS 160A-101
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
Fallston Town 607 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1971, c. 784 Although the town charter, SL 1973, c. 784, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
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.
Lake Waccamaw Town 1,480 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years D 4S Plurality SL 1967, c. 14 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.
Boiling Spring Lakes City 5,372 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1977, c. 62
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.
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.
Hookerton Town 409 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 253
Landis Town 3,109 Council Manager Aldermen 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 213 SL 1987, c. 13 SL 2003-126 GS 160A-101 The board of aldermen employ 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.
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).
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
Catawba Town 603 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1965, c. 224 GS 160A-101
Fletcher Town 7,187 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Primary SL 1989, c. 44 GS 160A-101
Aurora Town 520 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1969, c. 256 GS 160A-101
Walkertown Town 4,675 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1983(84), c. 936 GS 160A-101
Belwood Town 950 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114

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