Elections to Newtownabbey Borough Council were held on 17 May 1989 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections.

The election used five district electoral areas to elect a total of 25 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1985: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x Alliance 1989: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x SDLP 1985-1989 Change: SDLP gain from DUP 1985: 2 x Independent Unionist, 1 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Independent 1989: 2 x Independent Unionist, 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP 1985-1989 Change: UUP gain from Independent 1985: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x Newtownabbey Labour 1989: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Labour '87 1985-1989 Change: Alliance gain from DUP, Newtownabbey Labour joins Labour '87 1985: 3 x UUP, 2 x DUP 1989: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance 1985-1989 Change: Alliance gain from DUP 1985: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x Alliance 1989: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x Alliance 1985-1989 Change: No change