Objectives To know the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of diabetes residents above 35 years old in Shanghai Jiading District ,and to provide reference for the prevention and control of diabetes. Methods According to a randomized cluster sampling method, sampled 1 145 launched above 35 years old in Jiading District of Shanghai city for a survey of epidemiology of diabetes, used univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, to explore the risk factors of diabetes. Results Diabetes prevalence was 12. 14% (the population of the world standardized rate was 12. 09% ) , as age increasing, diabetes prevalence rate gradually increased; the factors sex and age, three TG, systolic blood pressure, family history of diabetes(P<0. 05) got into multiple unconditional logistic regression model. Conclusions Elderly population have high prevalence of diabetes, and the rate increases with the age; The gender, age, three TG, hypertension, family history of diabetes are the major risk factors of diabetes.