Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
Displaying 1 - 75 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Clemmons | Village | 18,627 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1985, c. 437 | |
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 | |
Maiden | Town | 3,310 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 103 PL 1939, c. 350 SL 1955, c. 445 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected every two years. The two persons with the highest vote totals receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Boone | Town | 17,122 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1931, c. 187 SL 1969, c. 905 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1907, c. 107 | Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the third-highest vote getter receives a two-year term. |
Sanford | City | 28,094 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Partisan | SL 1967, c. 650 SL 1997-245 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 SL 2013-220 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Liberty | Town | 2,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 579 | |
Red Springs | Town | 3,428 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c. 1252 SL 1951, c. 344 SL 1957, c. 457 SL 1969, c. 212 | |
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 | |
Kill Devil Hills | Town | 6,683 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995(96), c. 735 | |
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. |
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. |
Stallings | Town | 13,831 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 758 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Woodfin | Town | 6,123 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 271 SL 1979, c. 324 SL 1983, c. 291 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator who supervises 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. |
Warrenton | Town | 862 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 201 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Creedmoor | City | 4,124 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 826 GS 160A-101 | |
King | City | 6,904 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 351 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Tryon | Town | 1,646 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 441 GS 160A-101 | |
Hendersonville | City | 13,137 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 874 | |
Brevard | City | 7,609 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 415 SL 2007-65 | |
Bald Head Island | Village | 158 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-324 | |
Elon | Town | 9,419 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 109 | |
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. |
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 | |
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 | |
Peachland | Town | 437 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-328 | |
Cedar Rock | Town | 300 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-317 | |
Hertford | Town | 2,143 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 586 | |
Stanley | Town | 3,556 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 233 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Mebane | City | 11,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 514 GS 160A-101 | |
Wrightsville Beach | Town | 2,477 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 611 | |
Banner Elk | Town | 1,028 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1925, c. 124 GS 160A-101 | |
Enfield | Town | 2,532 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 479 | Four commissioners are elected from districts and one is elected at large. The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |
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). |
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 | |
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. | |
Kingstown | Town | 681 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1989, c. 632 | |
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. |
Unionville | Town | 5,929 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-151 SL 1999-90 | |
Hickory | City | 40,010 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1961, c. 323 SL 1967, c. 404 | |
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 | |
Stantonsburg | Town | 784 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1212 GS 160A-101 | |
Gibsonville | Town | 6,410 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 392 | |
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. |
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. |
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 | |
Chadbourn | Town | 1,856 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 895 SL 2007-271 | |
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. |
Glen Alpine | Town | 1,517 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 61 SL 1989, c. 131 | |
Yanceyville | Town | 2,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 501 SL 2000-86 | |
Eureka | Town | 197 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c. 459 SL 1981, c. 70 | |
Seagrove | Town | 228 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 270 | |
Littleton | Town | 674 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-20 | |
Danbury | Town | 189 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 169 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Chapel Hill | Town | 57,233 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 473 SL 1981, c. 911 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
High Shoals | City | 696 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 317 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Sedalia | Town | 623 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-444 | |
Locust | City | 2,930 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 246 SL 1977, c. 41 SL 2015-253. | The council employs a city administrator to supervise all departments. Locust municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
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. |