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

The election used three district electoral areas to elect a total of 16 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 2 x DUP, 2 x UUP 1981: 2 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x Alliance 1977-1981 Change: Alliance gain from UUP 1977: 3 x UUP, 3 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Independent 1981: 3 x DUP, 2 x UUP, 2 x SDLP, 1 x Independent 1977-1981 Change: DUP (two seats) gain from UUP and SDLP 1977: 2 x Independent, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent Unionist 1981: 2 x DUP, 2 x Independent 1977-1981 Change: DUP (two seats) gain from Alliance and Independent Unionist