Elections to Armagh District Council were held on 20 May 1981 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections.

The election used four district electoral areas to elect a total of 20 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP 1981: 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP 1977-1981 Change: No change 1977: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x UUUP 1981: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x UUUP 1977-1981 Change: No change 1977: 3 x SDLP, 2 x UUP 1981: 3 x SDLP, 1 x UUP, 1 x DUP 1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from UUP 1977: 2 x SDLP, 2 x UUP, 1 x Independent Nationalist 1981: 2 x SDLP, 2 x UUP, 1 x Independent Nationalist 1977-1981 Change: No change