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

The election used three district electoral areas to elect a total of 17 councillors.

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

1993: 2 x Alliance, 1 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x Independent 1997: 2 x Independent, 1 x Alliance, 1 x DUP, 1 x UUP 1993-1997 Change: Independent gain from Alliance 1993: 2 x Alliance, 2 x UUP, 1 x Conservative, 1 x Independent Unionist 1997: 2 x Alliance, 2 x Independent Unionist, 1 x UUP, 1 x DUP 1993-1997 Change: DUP gain from Independent Unionist, Independent Unionists leave UUP and Conservatives 1993: 2 x UUP, 2 x Alliance, 1 x DUP, 1 x Independent Unionist 1997: 2 x UUP, 2 x Alliance, 1 x DUP, 1 x Independent Unionist 1993-1997 Change: No change