Elections to Ballymena Borough 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 21 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 2 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x Independent 1981: 2 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x Independent 1977-1981 Change: No change 1977: 4 x DUP, 2 x UUP 1981: 4 x DUP, 2 x UUP 1977-1981 Change: No change 1977: 3 x DUP, 2 x Independent Unionist 1981: 4 x DUP, 1 x UUP 1977-1981 Change: DUP and UUP gain from Independent Unionist (two seats) 1977: 2 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent, 1 x Independent Unionist 1981: 3 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x Independent, 1 x Independent Unionist 1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from Alliance