Abstract: ObjectiveTo analyze the main death causes of residents in Xiacheng district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang. MethodsThe data of death causes of residents in the district from 2002 to 2006 were systematically collected to conduct analysis on all death cause and potential years of life lost (PYLL). ResultsFrom 2002 to 2006, the top seven death causes with the highest mortality among the residents in Xiacheng district were malignant tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, heart diseases, injuries, endocrine and metabolic diseases and digestive diseases, accounting for 89.86% of the all death causes. Main diseases that caused life lost of the residents were malignant tumors, injuries, and heart diseases. The total PYLL was 33 696.5 person-years. ConclusionChronic diseases and injuries were the main death causes among the residents in Xiacheng district, Hangzhou, so the prevention and control of chronic diseases, reduction of death and injury should be the priorities of future works.