Local elections to the West Midlands County Council, a Metropolitan County Council encompassing the West Midlands, were held on 7 May 1981, resulting in large swings to Labour, giving them control of the council.

1981 West Midlands County Council election

← 1977 7 May 1981 Abolished →
104 seats to the West Midlands County Council 52 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	36.6% ()
First party Second party Third party   Party Labour Conservative Liberal Last election 18 seats, 31.3 82 seats, 58.7% 3 seats, 4.3% Seats won 74 25 5 Seat change 56 57 2 Percentage 50.0% 36.7% 9.8% Swing 18.7% 22.0% 5.5%
1981 metropolitan council election results in West midlands.
Council control before election Conservative Council control after election Labour

This was the last election to the West Midlands County Council, after metropolitan county councils were scrapped on 31 March 1986 under the Local Government Act 1985 by the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher. The councils' abolition followed several high profile clashes between mostly Labour metropolitan county councils and the Conservative government over issues, including spending and rates charges.