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 descending Statutory Citations Notes
Seagrove Town 228 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 270
Littleton Town 674 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2002-20
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.
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.
Princeville Town 2,082 Council Manager Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years D 4 Plurality SL 1977, c. 688 GS 160A-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.
Waco Town 321 Mayor Council Aldermen 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1907, c. 147 GS 160A-101
Hookerton Town 409 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 253
Ellenboro Town 873 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2007-310 SL 1983, c. 425 Although the town charter, SL 1983, c. 425, and SL 2007-310 each style the governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen.
Stedman Town 1,028 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 67 SL 1953, c. 409
Middlesex Town 822 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1953, c. 1178 SL 1961, c. 44 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1908, c. 21 SL 2013-177 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
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.
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.
Cornelius Town 24,866 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1991(92), c. 852 GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 288
Sedalia Town 623 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-444
Locust City 2,930 Mayor Council Council Members 7 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 246 SL 1977, c. 41 SL 2015-253. The council employs a city administrator to supervise all departments. Locust municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Boonville Town 1,222 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1949, c 363 SL 1981(82), c. 1143 SL 2017-56 Boonville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Wilmington City 106,476 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 495 GS 160A-101
Proctorville Town 117 Mayor Council Aldermen 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1963, c. 306 GS 160A-101 PL 1913, c. 369 SL 2014 25
Bailey Town 569 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1967, c. 184
Wade Town 556 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality PL 1913, c. 408 SL 1969, c. 89
Hope Mills Town 15,176 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1981, c. 650 SL 2016-66
Ellerbe Town 1,054 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1967, c. 310 Pr. 1931, c. 24
Stem Town 463 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1911, c. 183
Midland Town 3,073 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2000-91 GS 160A-101
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.
Cove City Town 399 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1957, c. 427 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101
Selma Town 6,073 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1991(92), c. 934
Long View Town 4,871 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 4 Years D 4S Plurality SL 1955, c. 789 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.
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
Raeford City 4,611 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 371 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.
Wadesboro Town 5,813 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 297 SL 2003-190
Hot Springs Town 560 Mayor Council Aldermen 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1929, c. 210 GS 163-279
Elm City Town 1,298 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1955, c. 152
Stokesdale Town 5,047 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality 1989, c. 488 GS 160A-101
Midway Town 4,679 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2006-37.
Ocean Isle Beach Town 550 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1959, c. 887 SL 1965, c. 756 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
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.
Cramerton Town 4,165 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 2013 178 SL 1967, c. 1061 SL 2013-178
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.
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.
Forest City Town 7,476 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 209 GS 160A-101
Cedar Point Town 1,279 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1005 Although the town charter, SL 1987(88), c. 1005, styles the governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. There will be a change from 4 to 5 governing board members in the 2021 election.
Brevard City 7,609 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 415 SL 2007-65
Wilson\'s Mills Town 2,277 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1996 (2d extra), c. 12
Bald Head Island Village 158 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-324
Wagram Town 840 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1911, c. 161 SL 1981, c. 404
Hudson Town 3,776 Council Manager Commissioners 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 239 SL 1967, c. 322 GS 160A-101
Elon Town 9,419 Council Manager Aldermen 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1985, c. 109
Stoneville Town 1,056 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1983, c. 287 GS 160A-101 SL 2008-9 The council employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
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.
Old Fort Town 908 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1911, c. 271
Grifton Town 2,617 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 480 GS 160A-101
Creedmoor City 4,124 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1969, c. 826 GS 160A-101
Seven Springs Town 110 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1971, c. 21
Love Valley Town 90 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Mun. Bd. Control
Forest Hills Village 365 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-345
Cedar Rock Town 300 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-317
Kittrell Town 467 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality PL 1885, c. 136 GS 163-279
Bridgeton Town 454 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1989, c. 621
Banner Elk Town 1,028 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1925, c. 124 GS 160A-101
Wake Forest Town 30,117 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 273 SL 1993, c. 118
Huntersville Town 46,773 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1885, c. 46 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101
Emerald Isle Town 3,655 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1973, c. 526 GS 160A-101
Stonewall Town 281 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1969, c. 385
Milton Town 166 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 130 PL 1967, c. 207
Oriental Town 900 Council Manager Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1993, c. 4 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1899, c. 184 SL 1991(92), c. 878
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
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
Severn Town 276 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1919, c. 39 SL 1953, c. 1176 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
Lowell City 3,526 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1993, c. 111
Lucama Town 1,108 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 117
Fountain Town 427 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 Pr. 1923, c. 259 PL 1951, c. 724

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