Objective To investigate the masticatory function of the elderly in community, and to analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide a reference for developing targeted intervention. Methods A total of 212 older adults in community were selected using convenient sampling, then their general data were collected, their teeth were examined and masticatory function was measured. Results The participants′ visual evaluation score of masticatory function was 2.10±0.90, and the electronic colorimetric evaluation result was 0.85±0.11. Marital status, the number of natural teeth, the number of missing teeth, and the number of functional tooth units were the influencing factors of their masticatory function (all P<0.05). Conclusion The masticatory function of the elderly in community is at a low level, so the community health care workers should establish oral health records for the elderly, dynamically monitor the changes of their dental status, so as to maintain and reconstruct the masticatory function for the elderly in community.