Elections to Carrickfergus 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 15 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

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