The twenty-second election to Cardiganshire County Council took place in April 1961. It was preceded by the 1958 election and followed by the 1964 election.
46 candidates were returned unopposed resulting in only four contests, a record low.
The only surprise in the four contests was at Llandysul, where retiring member Edward Lewis, owner of the Gomer Press, was defeated after eighteen years.
In addition to the 50 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1961election, there were eight aldermanic vacancies which were filled at the annual meeting.
The following retiring aldermen were re-elected:
In addition, the following four new aldermen were elected:
John John, Aberystwyth, the sole Labour member of the authority, and Evan Glyn Davies, Aberarth, were not re-elected aldermen.
Six by-elections were called following the election of aldermen. Five of the wards were contested in elections held on 3 June. At Llanfarian, the former councillor who had stood down in favour of Alderman W.Z. Jones was returned unopposed. There were no vacancies in the other two wards due to the incumbents being life aldermen.