Abstract: Objective：To investigate the awareness of diabetes and to explore the influencing factors of it among the elderly population in Shanghai rural community. Methods：A cross-sectional study method was used in the research. Epidemiological investigation was undertaken in residents of 40-75 years old in Yunsong Commuinity of Pudong New Area in March to April,2014. Among the population, diabetic patients were selected to conducted questionnaire survey, physical examination, and laboratory testing. Results：A total of 256 diabetic patients completed questionnaires. The awareness rate of diabetes was 50.78% (130/256). The awareness rate of diabetes indicated that the statistical significance was found in patients with different educational background, blood lipid level, fasting blood-glucose level, HbA1c and exercise habits (P<0.05). The multi-factor logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that the educational level, glycosylated hemoglobin level and exercise habits were the main independent influencing factors for the awareness rate of diabetes. Conclusions：The level of awareness rate of diabetes in Shanghai Yunsong community is in the moderate level. Education should be strengthened to increase the rate of diabetes awareness for patients with low educational background, worse glucose control and no exercise habit.