| Election Name: | Durham mayoral election, 1981 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1979 Durham mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 1979 |
| Next Election: | 1983 Durham mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 1983 |
| Election Date: | November 3, 1981 |
| Candidate1: | Charles Markham |
| Party1: | nonpartisan candidate |
| Popular Vote1: | 7,799 |
| Percentage1: | 53.33% |
| Candidate2: | Harry E. Rodenhizer Jr. |
| Party2: | Nonpartisan candidate |
| Popular Vote2: | 6,825 |
| Percentage2: | 46.67% |
| Mayor | |
| Before Election: | Harry E. Rodenhizer Jr. |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Charles Markham |
The 1981 Durham mayoral election was held on November 3, 1981 to elect the mayor of Durham, North Carolina. It saw the election of Charles Markham, who unseated incumbent mayor Harry E. Rodenhizer Jr.
The date of the primary was October 6.
Candidate Jim Farthing had withdrawn on September 21, but remained on the ballot and received votes.