Elections to Newtownabbey 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 21 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1977: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance 1981: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x Independent Unionist 1977-1981 Change: DUP and Independent Unionist gain from UUP and Alliance 1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Newtownabbey Labour, 1 x Loyalist 1981: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Newtownabbey Labour 1977-1981 Change: Loyalist joins UUP 1977: 2 x Alliance, 1 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x UPNI 1981: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent Unionist 1977-1981 Change: UUP and Independent Unionist gain from Alliance and UPNI 1977: 2 x Alliance, 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP 1981: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent Unionist 1977-1981 Change: Independent Unionist gain from Alliance