Elections for the City of Edinburgh District Council took place on 1 May 1980, alongside elections to the councils of Scotland's various other districts. The Conservatives, who had previously controlled a majority on the council, were reduced to being just shy of a majority. The Conservatives continued to rule the council however, with Liberal support.
The election saw 4 new wards being added to Edinburgh; Fort, Shandon, Haymarket, and Tollcross. All, minus Tollcross, (which was won by the Conservatives) were won by Labour.
Turnout was 160,330.