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

The election used two district electoral areas to elect a total of 15 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Independent Nationalist, 1 x Independent Unionist 1981: 3 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Independent Nationalist 1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from Independent Unionist 1977: 5 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 1981: 5 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 1977-1981 Change: No change