The council area included Glenavy and Dundrod in the north, Dromara and Hillsborough in the south, Moira and Aghalee in the west, and Drumbo in the east.

The UDP missed the deadline for registration and their candidate, party leader Gary McMichael, was elected as an independent.

[3] Source: ARK Retrieved 13 January 2013 2011 saw the continued advancement of the DUP and Sinn Féin within the council Area.

In Downshire, the DUP picked up a seat from the UUP, and in Dunmurry Cross, Sinn Féin gained from the SDLP.

The election saw the DUP return all their candidates with the exception of Ben Mallon, a local student standing in Lisburn North.