Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities

Name Style Population Form of Gov. Governing Body # Mem. Mayor Selectionsort descending Mayor Term Board Selection Board Term Election Method Statutory Citations Notes
Whispering Pines Village 2,928 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2008-105
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.
Whitsett Town 590 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1991, c. 684
Salisbury City 33,662 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1987, c. 205
Brunswick Town 1,119 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1925, c. 197
Greenlevel Town 2,100 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1989(90), c. 942 The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
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.
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
Sandy Creek Town 260 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1007
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.
Grimesland Town 441 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1893, c. 222 SL 1957, c. 1153
Indian Beach Town 112 Council Manager Commissioners 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 513 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.
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
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.
Sedalia Town 623 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-444
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.
Bethania Town 328 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1995, c. 74
Seven Devils Town 192 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S/2 Plurality SL 1979, c. 205 GS 160A-101 Three council members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the person finishing third receives a two-year term.
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.
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
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
Ossipee Town 543 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2002-137.
Duck Town 369 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 2001-394.
Hemby Bridge Town 1,520 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1998-143 SL 2007-101
Swepsonville Town 1,154 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 4 Years AL 4S Plurality 1997-448
Patterson Springs Town 622 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1973, c. 129 Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
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
Wentworth Town 2,807 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-322
Badin Town 1,974 Council Manager Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board 2 Years AL/DAL 4S Plurality SL 1989(90), c. 894 SL 2015-253 Two council members are elected from residence districts, and three are elected at large. Baldin holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Taylortown Town 722 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 2 Plurality SL 1987, c. 601
Beech Mountain Town 320 Council Manager Council Members 5 Council Member with the most votes 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1981, c. 246
Alliance Town 776 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Council Member with the most votes 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1965, c. 760
Midway Town 4,679 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2006-37.
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
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.
Pine Level Town 1,700 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1907, c. 425 SL 1957, c. 50
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,
Bostic Town 386 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 Pr. 1913, c. 263 Although the town charter, Pr. 1913, c. 263, styles the town governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
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
Hillsborough Town 6,087 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 351 GS 160A-101
New Bern City 29,524 Council Manager Aldermen 6 Elected 4 Years D 4 Majority SL 1985, c. 64 SL 1957, c. 1281 SL 1983, c. 174 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
Bakersville Town 464 Mayor Council Council Members 2 Elected 4 Years AL 4S/2 Plurality SL 2014-56. SL 1955, c. 1291 SL 2005-43 SL 2014-56 The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.Two board members are elected every two years. The person receiving the highest number of votes receives a four-year term; the second-highest vote getter receives a two-year term.
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.
Graham City 14,153 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 339 GS 160A-101
Grandfather Village Village 25 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987, c. 419
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
Thomasville City 26,757 Council Manager Council Members 7 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211
Whitakers Town 744 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1965, c. 996 SL 1979, c. 311 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
Kinston City 21,677 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Partisan SL 1987, c. 169
Pinebluff Town 1,337 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1979, c. 243 GS 160A-101
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.
Brevard City 7,609 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 415 SL 2007-65
Valdese Town 4,490 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 847 SL 2000-28
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.
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.
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
Bald Head Island Village 158 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-324
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
Connelly Springs Town 1,669 Mayor Council Aldermen 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1989, c. 528 SL 1993, c. 37
Granite Falls Town 4,722 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 382
Milton Town 166 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 130 PL 1967, c. 207
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.
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.
White Lake Town 802 Mayor Council Commissioners 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2009-150
Kittrell Town 467 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality PL 1885, c. 136 GS 163-279
Pinehurst Village 13,124 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Mun. Bd. Control 1980 GS 160A-101
Spindale Town 4,321 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 378 GS 160A-101
Bridgeton Town 454 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1989, c. 621
Vanceboro Town 1,005 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1929, c. 26

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