Abstract: Objective：To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, thromboembolic risk and current anticoagulant therapy status of atrial fibrillation (AF) in elderly community residents. Methods：A cross-sectional survey of patients with AF on physical examination from April 2015 to May 2016 for people who aged over 65 years old was conducted in 11 communities of Jinshan District, Shanghai. A 12-lead electrocardiogram examination and a research questionnaire of AF were obtained. Results：1 368 patients with AF were enrolled, mean age was (76.1±6.4) years old,male patients accounted for 50.4%.The proportion of first diagnosed,paroxysmal, persistent, permanent, and unknown AF were 39.7%, 19.2%,8.6%, 13.2%, and 19.3%, respectively. The comorbidity (or related diseases) of AF were as follows:hypertension 59.3%, coronary heart disease 35.9%, cerebrovascular diseases 10.5%,diabetes 9.5%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) 3.3%,sick sinus syndrome 2.3%,left ventricular hypertrophy 2.2%,myocardial infarction 2.0%, heart failure 1.9%. 239 patients had CHADS2 score≥2, but the proportion of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy were 6.9% and 24.7%. 471 patients had CHA2DS2-VASc score≥2, only 6.4% patients received anticoagulant therapy and 21.2% patients received antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions：The proportion of elderly AF patients with high risk of stroke is higher, but the proportion of patients who received the anticoagulant therapy is lower in the community residents of Shanghai.