Elections to Ballymena Borough Council were held on 21 May 1997 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections.

The election used four district electoral areas to elect a total of 24 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1993: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent Unionist 1997: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent Unionist 1993-1997 Change: No change 1993: 3 x DUP, 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Independent Unionist 1997: 3 x DUP, 3 x UUP, 1 x SDLP 1993-1997 Change: UUP gain from Independent Unionist 1993: 3 x DUP, 2 x UUP 1997: 3 x DUP, 2 x UUP 1993-1997 Change: No change 1993: 3 x UUP, 2 x DUP 1997: 3 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 1993-1997 Change: SDLP gain from DUP