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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
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 | |
Plymouth | Town | 3,878 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 325 SL 2001-51 | |
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 | |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
Wadesboro | Town | 5,813 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 297 SL 2003-190 | |
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. |
Midway | Town | 4,679 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2006-37. | |
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. |
Greenville | City | 84,554 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 272 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts and one at large. |
Thomasville | City | 26,757 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211 | |
Forest City | Town | 7,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 209 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Kinston | City | 21,677 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Partisan | SL 1987, c. 169 | |
Wilson\'s Mills | Town | 2,277 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1996 (2d extra), c. 12 | |
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. |
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 | |
Saint Helena | Village | 389 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 942 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. |
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 | |
Lowell | City | 3,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 111 | |
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. |
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. |
Forest Hills | Village | 365 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-345 | |
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. |
Elizabeth City | City | 18,683 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Majority | SL 2001-227 | |
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. |
Northwest | City | 735 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 222 | |
Kitty Hawk | Town | 3,272 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 206 GS 160A-101 | |
Elizabethtown | Town | 3,583 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1895, c. 156 SL 2004-34 | |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
Walkertown | Town | 4,675 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 936 GS 160A-101 | |
Conover | City | 8,165 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 78 GS 160A-101 | |
Mineral Springs | Town | 2,639 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-175 | |
Lumber Bridge | Town | 94 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 99 SL 1967, c. 226 SL 1995(96), c. 570 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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. |
Knightdale | Town | 11,401 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1927, c. 155 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Salisbury | City | 33,662 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 205 | |
Wallace | Town | 3,880 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 94 SL 1997-321 | |
Indian Trail | Town | 33,518 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-257 | |
Bermuda Run | Town | 1,725 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1999-94 GS 160A-101 | |
Lumberton | City | 21,542 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 115 SL 1965, c. 282 SL 1967, c. 237 SL 1971, c. 166 GS 163-290 | |
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 | |
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 | |
Winston-Salem | City | 229,617 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Partisan | Pr. 1927, c. 232 Pr. 1933, c. 60 SL 1947, c. 601 SL 1965, c. 53 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-141 | Winston-Salem municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Wallburg | Town | 3,047 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2004-37. | |
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 | |
Bessemer City | City | 5,340 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 1018 | |
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 | |
Trinity | City | 6,614 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-44 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. |
LaGrange | Town | 2,873 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 163-290 SL 1979(80), c. 1151 GS 160A-101 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
St. James | Town | 3,165 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-241 GS 160A-101 | |
Winterville | Town | 9,269 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1993(94), c. 603 | |
Sandy Creek | Town | 260 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1007 | |
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. |
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. |
Misenheimer | Village | 728 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-268 SL 2004-19. SL 2015-253 | Misenheimer municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Sandyfield | Town | 447 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993(94), c. 729 | |
Walnut Creek | Village | 835 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 687 | The council employs a village administrator who supervises all departments. |
Jamestown | Town | 3,382 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 370 | |
Momeyer | Town | 224 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 242 SL 1995, c. 212 | |
Ansonville | Town | 631 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 2003-190 Mun. Bd. Control 1928 GS 163-290 | |
Lake Park | Village | 3,422 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993(94), c. 620 | |
Stallings | Town | 13,831 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 758 GS 160A-101 | |
Raeford | City | 4,611 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 371 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Monroe | City | 32,797 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 2000-35 | |
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. |
Apex | Town | 37,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 356 GS 160A-101 | |
Lake Santeetlah | Town | 45 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1012 GS 160A-101 | The mayor is elected by and from the board for a two-year term but serves at the board\'s pleasure and may be removed at any time during the term. |
Raleigh | City | 403,892 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Majority | SL 1949, c. 1184 SL 1957, c. 121 SL 1973, c. 319 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Harrisburg | Town | 11,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 111 GS 160A-101 | |
Cedar Rock | Town | 300 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-317 |