Objective：To analyze the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of atrial fibrillation（AF）in the elderly population in the communities of Jinshan District of Shanghai. Methods：We analyzed the data collected from the Shanghai Citizen Physical Examination Project performed in the elderly above 65-year-old in 9 communities of Jinshan District. A 12-lead electrocardiogram examination and a cardiovascular disease research questionnaire which was mainly on AF were obtained. Results：The crude prevalence rate of AF in this study population was 2.78%，standard prevalence rate was 3.02%，increased with age（P < 0.05）. The prevalence rate in males under 75 years of age was higher than that in females between each age group（P < 0.05）. The proportion of first diagnosed，paroxysmal，persistent and long-standing persistent AF was 13.72%，24.15%，7.03% and 55.10%，respectively. The average duration of AF for paroxysmal，persistent and long-standing persistent AF was （5.0 ± 5.92） years. A total of 9.61% of AF patients had a history of stroke，while only 4.92% patients received warfarin therapy. Conclusion：The AF prevalence rate and epidemiological characteristics in the elderly above 65-year-old in 9 communities of Jinshan District of Shanghai are close to other research results in China.