Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities

Name Style Population Form of Gov. Governing Bodysort descending # Mem. Mayor Selection Mayor Term Board Selection Board Term Election Method Statutory Citations Notes
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.
Forest Hills Village 365 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-345
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.
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
Fletcher Town 7,187 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years DAL 4S Primary SL 1989, c. 44 GS 160A-101
Archdale City 11,415 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL/DAL 4S Plurality SL 1969, c. 667 SL 2007-41 Four council members are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. In addition, Archdale holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Southern Pines Town 12,334 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Primary SL 1981, c. 352 GS 160A-101
Mount Holly City 13,656 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 212
East Arcadia Town 487 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973(74), c. 954
Whiteville City 5,394 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101
Roxboro City 8,362 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Majority SL 1997-282
Cofield Village 413 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1969, c. 587
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
Leland Town 13,527 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1989, c. 564 GS 160A-101
Tabor City Town 2,511 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 40 Pr. 1935, c. 18 SL 1957, c 255 GS 160A-101
Fontana Dam Town 22 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 2011-110 GS 160A-101
Archer Lodge Town 4,292 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2009-466
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
Whitsett Town 590 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1991, c. 684
Lenoir City 18,228 Council Manager Council Members 7 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Primary SL 1977, c. 118 SL 1997-262
Indian Trail Town 33,518 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2009-257
Tar Heel Town 117 Mayor Council Council Members 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1963, c. 763
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
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.
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
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.
Rural Hall Town 2,937 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973(74), c. 1100 GS 160A-101
Mayodan Town 2,478 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 501 GS 160A-101
Lewiston Woodville Town 549 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL/DAL 2 Plurality SL 1981, c. 266 Four council members are elected from residence districts and one is elected at large.
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
Tarboro Town 11,415 Council Manager Council Members 8 Elected 4 Years D 4S Plurality SL 1995, c. 73
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
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
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.
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.
Lewisville Town 12,639 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1991, c. 116
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.
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.
Taylortown Town 722 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 2 Plurality SL 1987, c. 601
Eastover Town 3,628 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2007-267
Wilmington City 106,476 Council Manager Council Members 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1977, c. 495 GS 160A-101
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.
McAdenville Town 651 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 GS 163-279, -290 The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
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.
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.
Lexington City 18,931 Council Manager Council Members 8 Elected 2 Years AL/D 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 906 SL 1987, c. 64 Six council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large.
Jamestown Town 3,382 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Primary SL 1981, c. 370
Boardman Town 157 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1991(92), c. 876
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
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
Rutherfordton Town 4,213 Council Manager Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101
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.
Raeford City 4,611 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 371 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
Liberty Town 2,656 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 579
Thomasville City 26,757 Council Manager Council Members 7 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211
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.
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.
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.
Wilson\'s Mills Town 2,277 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1996 (2d extra), c. 12
Saint Helena Village 389 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101
McFarlan Town 117 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1885, c. 102 PL 1947, c. 771 Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
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.
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.
Harrisburg Town 11,526 Council Manager Council Members 7 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 111 GS 160A-101
Elizabeth City City 18,683 Council Manager Council Members 8 Elected 2 Years D 2 Majority SL 2001-227
Mebane City 11,393 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 514 GS 160A-101
Jonesville Town 2,285 Council Manager Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2001-16 SL 2017-56 Jonesville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
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
Gamewell Town 4,051 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1981, c. 31 Although the town charter, SL 1981, c. 31, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Mesic Town 220 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1971, c. 626 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

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