Elections to Craigavon 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 25 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 3 x SDLP, 1 x Republican Clubs, 1 x UUP 1981: 3 x SDLP, 1 x Republican Clubs, 1 x UUP 1977-1981 Change: No change 1977: 3 x UUP, 2 x Alliance, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 1981: 3 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x SDLP 1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from Alliance 1977: 2 x UUP, 2 x SDLP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x DUP 1981: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Republican Clubs 1977-1981 Change: DUP and Republican Clubs gain from SDLP and Alliance 1977: 4 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x UUUP 1981: 3 x UUP, 3 x DUP, 1 x UUUP 1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from UUP