Objective To investigate the attention of community population in Shanghai to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related influencing factors. Methods Community populations in 27 community health service centers in Jing'an District and Minhang District of Shanghai were surveyed by stratified random sampling method. The investigation included the understanding the early symptoms, examination methods, dietary requirements and intervention measures of CKD and the attention to kidney health and the related influencing factors. Results The overall attention of community population in Shanghai to CKD was 31.4% (240/764). The community population paid the most attention to the treatment of CKD (57.5%, 439/764), followed by life expectancy (63.5%, 485/764), while the concerns about physical symptoms and urination change were the lowest (19.5%[149/764] and 21.7%[166/764], respectively). Residents aged 60 years or older, with junior college or above, and having participated in the CKD health lectures paid the most attention to CKD. Conclusion The attention of community population in Shanghai to CKD is low, suggesting that the health education should be strengthened to improve the cognitive level of CKD in community population.