Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities

Name Style Population Form of Gov. Governing Body # Mem. Mayor Selection Mayor Term Board Selection Board Term Election Methodsort ascending Statutory Citations Notes
Belwood Town 950 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114
Whiteville City 5,394 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101
Roseboro Town 1,191 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1891, c. 279 SL 1995, c. 18
Grover Town 708 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1963, c. 812 GS 160A-101
Mooresboro Town 311 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 113 SL 1977(78), c. 1209 Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Fontana Dam Town 22 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 2011-110 GS 160A-101
Alamance Village 951 Mayor Council Aldermen 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 840
Vandemere Town 254 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1895, c. 311 GS 163-279
Pollocksville Town 311 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1911, c. 163 SL 1965, c. 202 GS 160A-101 GS 163-279
Fountain Town 427 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 Pr. 1923, c. 259 PL 1951, c. 724
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 Arcadia Town 487 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973(74), c. 954
Norwood Town 2,379 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 212 SL 2001-15 SL 2015-253 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Norwood municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
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.
Oak City Town 317 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 155 PL 1953, c. 66 Pr. 1891, c. 100 GS 163-290
Lansing Town 158 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Mun. Bd. Control
Colerain Town 204 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1953, c. 290 GS 163-290
Tar Heel Town 117 Mayor Council Council Members 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1963, c. 763
Cajah\'s Mountain Town 2,823 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 2006-99 The charter does not specify if the chairperson serves for a term or at the pleasure of the council. The charter does not specify a form of government, but the town has always operated under the council-manager system.
Indian Trail Town 33,518 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2009-257
Southern Shores Town 2,714 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1979, c. 203
Benson Town 3,311 Council Manager Commissioners 6 Elected 2 Years AL/D 4S Plurality SL 1999-91 GS 160A-101 Three council members are elected from districts, and three are elected at large. In the election of at large members, each voter may only vote for one candidate.
Whitsett Town 590 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1991, c. 684
Halifax Town 234 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. Act 1786, c. 35
Roxobel Town 240 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1911, c. 439
Albemarle Town 15,903 Council Manager Council Members 7 Elected 2 Years AL/D 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 259 SL 1987(88), c. 881 GS 160A-101 SL 2015-253 Four council members are elected from districts and three are elected at large. Albemarle holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Varnamtown Town 541 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1003
Four Oaks Town 1,921 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1953, c. 65 GS 160A-101
Manteo Town 1,434 Council Manager Commissioners 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1899, c. 66 Pr. 1907, c. 198 SL 1993, c. 108 GS 160A-101
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.
Oak Island Town 6,783 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1999-66 GS 160A-101 SL 2003-84
Lasker Town 122 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1895, c. 281 PL 1939, c. 48
Columbia Town 891 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 PL 1941, c. 423
Tarboro Town 11,415 Council Manager Council Members 8 Elected 4 Years D 4S Plurality SL 1995, c. 73
Calabash Town 1,786 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Plurality SL 1999-16 SL 1973, c. 391 SL 1989, c. 593 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Jackson Town 513 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1983, c. 286
Southport City 2,833 Council Manager Aldermen 6 Elected 2 Years DAL 4S Plurality SL 1983, c. 659
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.
Hamilton Town 408 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1945, c. 302
Morehead City Town 8,661 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1969, c. 879 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
Alliance Town 776 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Council Member with the most votes 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1965, c. 760
Vass Town 720 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1907, c 407 SL 1953, c. 817 GS 160A-101 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
Princeton Town 1,194 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2002-52
Foxfire Village Village 902 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 237
Marietta Town 175 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 111
East Laurinburg Town 0 Council Manager Council Members 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1909, c. 221 GS 160A-101 The Town of East Laurinburg was dissolved effective June 30, 2022.
Oak Ridge Town 6,185 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1998-113 GS 160A-101 The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Lattimore Town 488 Mayor Council Council Members 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality PL 1899, c. 52 Although the original town charter styled the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
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.
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
Calypso Town 538 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 264
Jacksonville City 70,145 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 4 Years AL/D 4S Plurality SL 1967, c. 911 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 Four council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large.
Sparta Town 1,770 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 Mun. Bd. Control 1924
Bessemer City City 5,340 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years DAL 2 Plurality SL 1989(90), c. 1018
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.
Hamlet Town 6,495 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1969, c. 506 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290
Morganton City 16,918 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Plurality SL 2014-12 SL 1975 c. 180 SL 1998-81
Ruth Town 440 Mayor Council Commissioners 2 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality PL 1939, c. 53
Andrews Town 1,781 Mayor Council Aldermen 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 135 SL 1959, c. 193 Pr. 1930, c. 187 SL 1977, c. 209 GS 160A-101 The town board employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Waco Town 321 Mayor Council Aldermen 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1907, c. 147 GS 160A-101
Princeville Town 2,082 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years D 4 Plurality SL 1977, c. 688 GS 160A-101
Franklin Town 3,845 Mayor Council Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 26 Pr. 1935, c. 5 GS 160A-66, -101 The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Marion City 7,838 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 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.
Oakboro Town 1,859 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1915, c. 51 SL 2015-253 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Oakboro municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Laurel Park Town 2,180 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2000-8
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.
Taylortown Town 722 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 2 Plurality SL 1987, c. 601
Cameron Town 285 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Laws 1876-77, c. 14 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101
Speed Town 80 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1923, c. 169 SL 1957, c. 279
Bethania Town 328 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1995, c. 74
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
Morrisville Town 18,576 Council Manager Commissioners 6 Elected 4 Years AL/DAL 4S Plurality SL 1947, c. 776 SL 1975, c. 802 GS 160A-101 Four commissioners are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large.

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