Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
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Name | Style | Population | Form of Gov. | Governing Body | # Mem. | Mayor Selection | Mayor Term | Board Selection | Board Term | Election Method | Statutory Citations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Godwin | Town | 139 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 397 SL 1947, c. 243 GS 163-279 SL 2009-5 | |
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. |
Columbia | Town | 891 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 PL 1941, c. 423 | |
Southport | City | 2,833 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 659 | |
Bear Grass | Town | 73 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1909, c. 74 SL 1961, c. 1128 | |
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 | |
Rural Hall | Town | 2,937 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1100 GS 160A-101 | |
Middleburg | Town | 133 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | ||
Middlesex | Town | 822 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 1178 SL 1961, c. 44 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1908, c. 21 SL 2013-177 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Zebulon | Town | 4,433 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 386 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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. |
Richlands | Town | 1,520 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 47 SL 1949, c. 476 | |
Waxhaw | Town | 9,859 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1919, c. 57 PL 1941, c. 255 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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 | |
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 | |
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. |
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. |
Sparta | Town | 1,770 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Mun. Bd. Control 1924 | |
Beaufort | Town | 4,039 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 435 Pr. 1919, c. 103 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Ruth | Town | 440 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 2 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1939, c. 53 | |
Midland | Town | 3,073 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2000-91 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Long View | Town | 4,871 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 789 GS 160A-101 | |
River Bend | Town | 3,119 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1981 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Waynesville | Town | 9,869 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 126 | |
Eastover | Town | 3,628 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-267 | |
Taylortown | Town | 722 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 601 | |
Bunn | Town | 344 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 690 | |
Goldston | Town | 268 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 108 SL 1957, c. 704 GS 160A-101 | |
Pine Knoll Shores | Town | 1,339 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 265 GS 160A-101 | |
Como | Town | 91 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 920 | Although the town charter, SL 1967, c. 920, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Speed | Town | 80 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 169 SL 1957, c. 279 | |
Beech Mountain | Town | 320 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Council Member with the most votes | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 246 | |
Navassa | Town | 1,505 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-325 SL 1977, c. 77 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |
Midway | Town | 4,679 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2006-37. | |
Hillsborough | Town | 6,087 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 351 GS 160A-101 | |
Louisburg | Town | 3,359 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 1022 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Roanoke Rapids | City | 15,754 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 34 | |
Weaverville | Town | 3,120 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 335 GS 160A-101 | |
Eden | City | 15,527 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 967 SL 1969, c. 781 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
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. |
Burgaw | Town | 3,872 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-247 | |
Graham | City | 14,153 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 339 GS 160A-101 | |
Pine Level | Town | 1,700 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 425 SL 1957, c. 50 | |
Concord | City | 79,066 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1985(86), c. 861 GS 160A-101 | Six council members are elected from residence districts, and one is 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, | |
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. |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
Mills River | Town | 6,802 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-242 | Three council members are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. |
Hobgood | Town | 348 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 160 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all employees. The 1982 act of the General Assembly calls for two-year terms of the town board, but in fact board members are elected to four-year staggered terms. |
Love Valley | Town | 90 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Robbins | Town | 1,097 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 63 SL 1979, c. 230 160A-101 | |
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. |
Edenton | Town | 5,004 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985(86), c. 815 | Four council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Thomasville | City | 26,757 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211 | |
Grandfather Village | Village | 25 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 419 | |
Pinebluff | Town | 1,337 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 243 GS 160A-101 | |
Conetoe | Town | 294 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1887, c. 154 SL 1957, c. 278 SL 1959, c. 63 | |
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. |
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 | |
New London | Town | 600 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 91 SL 2001-131 SL 2015-253 | New London municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Saint Helena | Village | 389 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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. |
Milton | Town | 166 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 130 PL 1967, c. 207 | |
Hoffman | Town | 588 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 1002 | |
Lowell | City | 3,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 111 | |
Robbinsville | Town | 620 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 190 SL 1981, c. 194 | Although the Robbinsville charter styles the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
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. |
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. |
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. |