Objective:To describe the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome(MS) in Nanjing district. Methods:1 130 residents from two districts of Nanjing, who had lived for at least five years and more than 20 years old, were enrolled in this survey. Fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides(TG), high density lipoprotein-C(HDL-C) were measured. Results:The crude prevalence of MS were 19.3%, 12.8%, 22.9% in total population, male and female respectively while the standardized rate were 13.1%, 9.2%, 15.2% accordingly. Female and aged people was the population at high risk of MS. The prevalence of hypertension(≥130/85 mmHg),hypertriglyceridemia, abnormal fasting plasma glucose, hypoalphalipoproteinemia-C were 89.9%, 65.6%,29.4%, 71.1% respectively among MS individuals, of which 51.8% incorporated only two metabolic abnormities, 40.4% incorporated three metabolic abnormities and 7.8% had four metabolic abnormities. Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MS in Nanjing was very high. Old and female people were at higher risk. Hypertension was the most frequent metabolic abnormity among MS individuals and the prevalence of other metabolic abnormities were also very high.