Objective To investigate the depression status among the elderly living alone in a community of Shanghai and to analyze the influencing factors. Methods Participants from Guangzhong Community of Hongkou District, Shanghai were divided into the study group and control group according to their scores of Geriatric Depression Scale. Factors including social demographic characteristics, solitary reason, situation of being visited, health status, financial support and social support, were collected, and their influence upon depression was analyzed. Results Among 1 033 aged people surveyed, 431 fell into the study group and 602 into the control group(not detected), with the detected depression rate being 41.72%. The statistical analysis showed that the income, age, social support, frequency of being visited, and self-care ability were risk factors influencing the depression status of the elderly living alone. Conclusion The depression status in the elderly living alone in community of Shanghai is affected by multiple factors. To improve their depression condition we may start from increasing their income and providing more social support.