Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in permanent residents aged 55 or above in a community in Yangpu District, Shanghai, and to analyze its association with smoking, alcohol consumption, and outdoor activities. Methods By cluster random sampling, the residents were selected from one community in Yangpu district between January and December 2013 to answer questionnaire and receive physical examination and relevant laboratory assessment. The factors of MS were also analyzed. Results A total of 1 002 participants finally answered the questionnaire and finished other tests. According to the diagnostic criteria in T2DM Prevention & Treatment Chinese Guideline 2010, the prevalence of MS was 18.66% in this study, with the prevalence being 17.70%(120/678) in female and 20.68%(67/324) in male. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis suggested that overweight, hypertension, diabetes history, increased LDL-C and smoking history were the associated risk factors of MS (P<0.05). Conclusion The middle and old aged residents have high prevalence of MS in the community population of this study. Overweight, hypertension, diabetes history, high LDL-C and smoking history are the risk factors for MS morbidity, suggesting that weight control and smoking cessation may be early intervention for preventing MS.