After nearly three years in which supporters hosted public meetings, gathered signatures for a petition and lobbied lawmakers, voters decided to incorporate. Of the 738 voters who cast a ballot in a referendum Tuesday, 423 were in favor of incorporating.

Many residents have said they want Archer Lodge to be a town so they can control their destiny.

The area has grown as it has attracted new families looking for affordable housing and a slow-paced setting. But while growth changed the dynamics in neighboring towns, the rural atmosphere in Archer Lodge largely remained.

And, as shown by last week's vote, many people want to keep it that way.

"We're not trying to build a metropolis," said Mike Gordon, a lifelong Archer Lodge resident who will serve as the interim mayor until the town's first elections are held in two years. "We're trying to exist as we are."

The town, whose status will become official when the county elections office certifies the election this week, will have about 3,000 residents and cover about nine square miles.

Gordon and five interim Town Council members, who were named before state lawmakers gave the go-ahead for the public vote, will temporarily represent the town for free. Often, elected leaders in towns get a stipend for their service. But Archer Lodge won't have revenue rolling in until officials of the newly minted town set up a system to start billing and collecting an 8-cent property tax.

At least for the first year, Archer Lodge won't have a town manager.

Residents likely won't notice much difference with the new status. Water will still come from the county, and sheriff's deputies will continue to provide police protection. The town will likely have its own police department within three years. The Archer Lodge fire department, a volunteer outfit, will continue to provide fire service.

In its quest to have a say in its own future, the town will be responsible for planning and zoning. Until now, county leaders have made decisions about development in the area.

That new responsibility was a strong draw for voters like Laura Bonham, who was in favor of incorporating. It's important for Archer Lodge to have a voice, she said.

"It just seems like the right thing to do," Bonham said.

Of course, when Carlton Vinson, who grew up in Archer Lodge, helped start the incorporation movement in 2007, the economy was still strong. Voters last week were asked to tax themselves in a struggling economy. Vinson said that was likely a factor for the people who voted no.

"We'd be crazy not to think so," he said.

Joel Pace voted against incorporating. He said he owns land in Archer Lodge, and he's not happy about paying more taxes. He's also worried he won't be able to sell the property. Some developers who were interested in the land changed their minds when they found out about the pending incorporation vote, Pace said.

"I'm pretty much stuck the way it is," Pace said. "I don't see any future growth."

Vinson, who said he would consider running for town office, said he wants the town to attract some new businesses.

"Things are always going to change," he said. "All we are trying to do is manage the change."