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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fair Bluff | Town | 951 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. Ex. 1913, c. 25 SL 1983(84), c. 1007 | |
Speed | Town | 80 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 169 SL 1957, c. 279 | |
Wilmington | City | 106,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 495 GS 160A-101 | |
Harmony | Town | 531 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
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. |
Denton | Town | 1,636 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 497 GS 160A-101 SL 2009-42 | |
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. |
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. |
Wade | Town | 556 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1913, c. 408 SL 1969, c. 89 | |
Franklinville | Town | 1,164 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 1017 | |
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 | |
Liberty | Town | 2,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 579 | |
Roanoke Rapids | City | 15,754 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 34 | |
Burgaw | Town | 3,872 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-247 | |
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. |
Jamesville | Town | 491 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 232 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 | |
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. |
Fairmont | Town | 2,663 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL,1973, c. 288 GS 160A-101 | |
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, | |
Wilson | City | 49,167 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 136 SL 1979, c. 334 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. |
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 | |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Wagram | Town | 840 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 161 SL 1981, c. 404 | |
Fremont | Town | 1,255 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Plurality | SL 2009-292 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |
Lilesville | Town | 536 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 764 | |
Robbins | Town | 1,097 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 63 SL 1979, c. 230 160A-101 | |
Thomasville | City | 26,757 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211 | |
Jefferson | Town | 1,611 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 552 GS 160A-101 | |
Pinebluff | Town | 1,337 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 243 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Fairview | Town | 3,324 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-428 | |
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. |
Wilson\'s Mills | Town | 2,277 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1996 (2d extra), c. 12 | |
Harrellsville | Town | 106 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1955, c. 92 PL 1983, c. 138 | Although the legislative acts cited above style the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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. |
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. |
Saint Helena | Village | 389 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101 | |
McFarlan | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 102 PL 1947, c. 771 | Although the legislation cited above styles 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 | |
Wake Forest | Town | 30,117 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 273 SL 1993, c. 118 | |
Fuquay-Varina | Town | 17,937 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 167 SL 1959, c. 774 | |
Chocowinity | Town | 820 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 343 SL 2004-12 | |
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 | |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Jonesville | Town | 2,285 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-16 SL 2017-56 | Jonesville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Pinehurst | Village | 13,124 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1980 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Faison | Town | 961 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 378 | |
Spindale | Town | 4,321 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 378 GS 160A-101 | |
Harrisburg | Town | 11,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 111 GS 160A-101 | |
Newland | Town | 698 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 222 Pr. 1913, c. 275 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |
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. |
Saint Pauls | Town | 2,035 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 874 SL 1993, c. 158 | Four commissioners are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Salemburg | Town | 435 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 104 SL 1993(94), c. 703 | |
Mesic | Town | 220 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 626 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 | |
Gamewell | Town | 4,051 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 31 | Although the town charter, SL 1981, c. 31, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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 | |
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. |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
Topsail Beach | Town | 368 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, cc. 67, 284 SL 1977, c. 272 SL 1989, c. 153 | |
Kannapolis | City | 42,625 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 191 GS 160A-101 | |
Pinetops | Town | 1,374 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. Ex. 1921, c. 64 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Belwood | Town | 950 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114 | |
Faith | Town | 807 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 159 SL 1979(80), c. 1111 | |
Spring Hope | Town | 1,320 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 207 SL 1973, c. 40 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1889, c. 55 | |
Winfall | Town | 594 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 342, 773 GS 160A-101 |