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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tarboro | Town | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 73 | |
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 | |
Asheboro | Town | 25,012 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1967, c. 481 SL 1989(90), c. 921 GS 160A-101 | |
Clayton | Town | 16,116 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 983 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
High Shoals | City | 696 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 317 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 | |
Rocky Mount | City | 57,477 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Majority | SL 2003-327 | |
Asheville | City | 83,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 30 SL 1969, c. 165 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1931, c. 121 SL 2018-123 | Asheville holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (SL 2018-123). One council member is at-large; the remaining five members are elected from districts. (SL 2018-123) |
Sparta | Town | 1,770 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Mun. Bd. Control 1924 | |
Clemmons | Village | 18,627 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1985, c. 437 | |
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. |
Goldsboro | City | 36,437 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Primary | SL 1973, c. 69 SL 1975, c. 245 SL 1985(86), c. 888 GS 160A-101 | |
Fallston | Town | 607 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 784 | Although the town charter, SL 1973, c. 784, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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. |
Taylortown | Town | 722 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 601 | |
Duck | Town | 369 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 2001-394. | |
Wilmington | City | 106,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 495 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Hildebran | Town | 2,023 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 212 SL 1973, c. 433 SL 1993, c. 238 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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. |
Norman | Town | 138 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. Ex. 1913, c. 74 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. |
Cary | Town | 135,234 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Majority | SL 2005-117 | Four council members are elected from districts and two are elected at large. |
Momeyer | Town | 224 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 242 SL 1995, c. 212 | |
Boardman | Town | 157 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 876 | |
Dunn | City | 9,263 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Majority | SL 1969, c. 818 SL 1971, c. 104 GS 160A-101 | |
Clinton | Town | 8,639 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985(86), c. 943 SL 1989(90), c. 887 | |
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 | |
Lake Park | Village | 3,422 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993(94), c. 620 | |
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 | |
Casar | Town | 297 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 775 PL 1903, c. 359 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 | |
Fayetteville | City | 200,564 | Council Manager | Council Members | 9 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Primary | SL 1979, c. 557, 794 GS 160A-101 | |
Monroe | City | 32,797 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 2000-35 | |
Thomasville | City | 26,757 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211 | |
Durham | City | 228,330 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1975, c. 671 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected from residence districts, and three are elected at large. |
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. |
Atlantic Beach | Town | 1,495 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1937, c. 433 GS 160A-101 | Although the town charter refers to the governing board as the board of commissioners, in fact the town refers to it as the town council. |
Wilson\'s Mills | Town | 2,277 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1996 (2d extra), c. 12 | |
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. |
Saint Helena | Village | 389 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101 | |
Grandfather Village | Village | 25 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 419 | |
Flat Rock | Village | 3,114 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1995, c. 48 | |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Northwest | City | 735 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 222 | |
Granite Falls | Town | 4,722 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 382 | |
Fletcher | Town | 7,187 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1989, c. 44 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. |
East Arcadia | Town | 487 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 954 | |
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. |
Cofield | Village | 413 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 587 | |
Walkertown | Town | 4,675 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 936 GS 160A-101 | |
Catawba | Town | 603 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 224 GS 160A-101 | |
Fontana Dam | Town | 22 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 2011-110 GS 160A-101 | |
Holly Ridge | Town | 1,268 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 87 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Grantsboro | Town | 688 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1997-446 SL 2011-83 | |
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. |
Marietta | Town | 175 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 111 | |
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. |
Holly Springs | Town | 24,661 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2003-73 | |
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 | |
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 | |
Boone | Town | 17,122 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1931, c. 187 SL 1969, c. 905 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1907, c. 107 | Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the third-highest vote getter receives a two-year term. |
Trinity | City | 6,614 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-44 GS 160A-101 | |
Marion | City | 7,838 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 101 | |
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. |
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 |