Elections to Coleraine 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 20 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Independent Unionist 1981: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 2 x SDLP 1977-1981 Change: DUP and SDLP gain from UUP and Independent Unionist 1977: 4 x UUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Independent Unionist 1981: 4 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x Alliance 1977-1981 Change: DUP (two seats) gain from SDLP and Independent Unionist 1977: 3 x UUP, 2 x Independent, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance 1981: 3 x Independent, 2 x DUP, 2 x UUP 1977-1981 Change: DUP and Independent gain from UUP and Alliance