Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients aged 65 years and above in Liaoning Province. Methods Between January 2019 and December 2020, a cluster random sampling method was used to investigate residents ≥ 65 years old in Sujiatun Community, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. The pulmonary function tests of the selected residents were conducted. Questionnaire surveys were carried out and 5738 questionnaires with complete data were analyzed. Results A total of 620 COPD cases were diagnosed among 5738 people investigated in the present study, with a total prevalence rate of 10.81%, of which the prevalence rate in men was 12.58% (371/2950), and the prevalence rate in women was 8.93% (249/2950). According to the GOLD classification of lung function, 620 patients can be divided into 186 (30.49%) cases of grade I, 266 (43.61%) grade II, 118 (19.34%) grade III, and 50 (8.20%) cases of grade IV. The problem with lung function in males was more serious than that in females, which increased gradually with age (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, BMI, smoking, childhood respiratory history, family history, occupational exposure, indoor oil fume and use of polluted fuel for heating were independent risk factors affecting the onset of COPD (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of COPD in patients aged 65 years old and above in Liaoning is relatively high. Gender, age, BMI, smoking, childhood respiratory history, family history, occupational exposure, indoor oil fume, and use of polluted fuel for heating are related to the onset of COPD. Clinical attention should be paid to early screening and prevention of COPD in those populations to reduce the prevalence of COPD..