Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
Displaying 76 - 150 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Pines | Town | 12,334 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 352 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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. |
Hertford | Town | 2,143 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 586 | |
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. |
Catawba | Town | 603 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 224 GS 160A-101 | |
Aurora | Town | 520 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 256 GS 160A-101 | |
Roxobel | Town | 240 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 439 | |
Belwood | Town | 950 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114 | |
Walkertown | Town | 4,675 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 936 GS 160A-101 | |
Winfall | Town | 594 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 342, 773 GS 160A-101 | |
Clyde | Town | 1,223 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1889, c. 189 SL 1959, c. 1107 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Rural Hall | Town | 2,937 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1100 GS 160A-101 | |
Bolivia | Town | 143 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1961, c. 366 | |
Pine Level | Town | 1,700 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 425 SL 1957, c. 50 | |
Milton | Town | 166 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 130 PL 1967, c. 207 | |
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 | |
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 | |
Creswell | Town | 276 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 276 SL 1993(94), c. 626 GS 163-279 | |
Earl | Town | 260 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 787 | Although incorporated as \\\"Earl Station\\\" the town now goes by \\\"Earl\\\". In addition, although the town charter refers to the governing board as board of commissioners, the board in fact is referred to as the town council. |
Marvin | Village | 5,579 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993(94), c. 641 | The council employs a village administrator to supervise all employees. |
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. |
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. |
Kitty Hawk | Town | 3,272 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 206 GS 160A-101 | |
Tryon | Town | 1,646 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 441 GS 160A-101 | |
Leland | Town | 13,527 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 564 GS 160A-101 | |
Selma | Town | 6,073 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 934 | |
Walnut Cove | Town | 1,425 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 447 | |
Wesley Chapel | Village | 7,463 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-43 | The town board employs an administrator to supervise town operations. |
Pinehurst | Village | 13,124 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1980 GS 160A-101 | |
Stokesdale | Town | 5,047 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | 1989, c. 488 GS 160A-101 | |
Minnesott Beach | Town | 440 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 890 | |
Jamestown | Town | 3,382 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 370 | |
Angier | Town | 4,350 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-63 | |
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 | |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
Turkey | Town | 292 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 82 | |
Orrum | Town | 91 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 993 SL 2017-58 | |
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. |
Harmony | Town | 531 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Mint Hill | Town | 22,722 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 73 GS 160A-101 | |
Graham | City | 14,153 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 339 GS 160A-101 | |
Danbury | Town | 189 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 169 GS 160A-101 | |
Pineville | Town | 7,479 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 296 G.S. 160A-101 (2015) | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Canton | Town | 4,227 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 90 Pr. 1911, c. 178 Pr. 1935, c. 119 GS 160A-101 | |
Woodland | Town | 809 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 136 GS 163-279 | |
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. |
Grandfather Village | Village | 25 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 419 | |
Macclesfield | Town | 471 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c. 1124 GS 160A-101 | |
Wrightsville Beach | Town | 2,477 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 611 | |
Red Cross | Town | 742 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-56. SL 2015-253 | Red Cross municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Cherryville | City | 5,760 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 581 | |
Lake Lure | Town | 1,192 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 194 | |
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. |
Bridgeton | Town | 454 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 621 | |
Carolina Beach | Town | 5,706 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1973, c. 376 SL 1981, c. 842 | |
Sugar Mountain | Village | 198 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-242 SL 1985, c. 395 | |
Red Oak | Town | 3,430 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 799 SL 1989(90), c. 1035 | |
Momeyer | Town | 224 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 242 SL 1995, c. 212 | |
Mount Gilead | Town | 1,181 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 133 SL 1957, c. 163 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Granite Quarry | Town | 2,930 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-203 SL 2007-89 | |
Pleasant Garden | Town | 4,489 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1997-344 SL 2009-167 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Fairview | Town | 3,324 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-428 | |
Yanceyville | Town | 2,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 501 SL 2000-86 | |
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 | |
Saluda | City | 713 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1933, c. 123 | The board of commissioners employs a city administrator to supervise all departments. |
Dobbins Heights | Town | 866 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1983, c. 658 | |
Maggie Valley | Town | 1,150 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1337 SL 1995(96), c. 558 GS 160A-101 | |
Brookford | Town | 382 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 109 GS 163-279 | |
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 | |
Holly Springs | Town | 24,661 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2003-73 | |
Faison | Town | 961 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 378 | |
Sunset Beach | Town | 3,572 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 93 SL 1965, c. 362 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |