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

The election used five district electoral areas to elect a total of 23 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 1981: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 1977-1981 Change: No change 1977: 3 x UUP, 2 x DUP 1981: 3 x DUP, 2 x UUP 1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from UUP 1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x UUUP 1981: 3 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x Alliance 1977-1981 Change: DUP (two seats) gain from UUP and UUUP 1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x UPNI 1981: 2 x DUP, 2 x UUP, 1 x Alliance 1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from UPNI 1977: 1 x Alliance, 1 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 1981: 1 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x UUUP 1977-1981 Change: UUUP gain from Alliance