The twenty-second election to Cardiganshire County Council took place in April 1961. It was preceded by the 1961 election and followed by the 1967 election.
After a record low of four contests in 1961 a significantly higher number of seats were contested, with Plaid Cymru candidates contesting wards in Aberystwyth for the first time. Retiring councillors stood down in favour of aldermen in several wards.
Four retiring members were defeated with the only surprise in Lampeter where the Rev T. Oswald Williams was defeated by Dr Ambrose Lloyd
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 alderman was re-elected:
In addition, the following new aldermen were elected:
The following retiring aldermen were re-elected to the council but not selected as 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.