1981 Down District Council election

Main article: Northern Ireland local elections, 1981
1981 Down District Council election
← 1977 20 May 1981 (1981-05-20) 1985 →
All 20 seats to Down District Council
11 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Party SDLP UUP DUP
Seats won 9 5 3
Seat change Decrease 1 Decrease 2 Increase 3
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Party Alliance Republican Clubs Independent Labour
Seats won 1 1 1
Seat change Decrease 2 Increase 1 Increase 1

Elections to Down District Council were held on 20 May 1981 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used three district electoral areas to elect a total of 20 councillors.