Background: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of disease burden across the world. In China, the latest nationwide survey of prevalence of hypertension was ten year ago. More information about hypertension prevalence in China could help to improve overall antihypertensive health care. Methods: The total population included 421 selected resident communities from 16 provinces was 1196422. This screening program was supported by Ministry of Health as one of national actions of stroke prevention and control and leaded directly by the office of China Stroke and High Risk Population Screening Program affiliated to Ministry of Health of China with close collaboration of local governments of the 16 selected provinces from April 2012 to Dec 2012. Results: The prevalence rates of hypertension patients in study population aged 40 and older were 22.9 % in total, 21.8% in men and 23.9 % in women. The prevalence rate of hypertension increased remarkably from 10.0% in population age 40-49 to 42.6% in population age 70-79. The rate decreased to 36.2% in population age 80 and over. Urban population had higher prevalence rate of hypertension than rural population did (23.1% vs 22.6%). Population in eastern coastal China had higher prevalence rates of hypertension than western China (26.6%, 21.7%). 76.3% of the survival stroke patients had hypertension. Conclusions: The prevalence rates of hypertension patients in study population aged 40 and older were 22.9 % in total, 21.8% in men and 23.9 % in women. Urban population had higher prevalence rate of hypertension than rural population did. Population in eastern coastal China had higher prevalence rates of hypertension than western China.