Objective To investigate the prevalence, related risk factors, and clinical characteristics of sarcopenia in elderly urban populations in Nanjing, and explore the correlation between sarcopenia and hypertension. Methods A total of 2 536 elderly people who participated in annual physical examinations in Maigaoqiao Community Medical Center in Nanjing from January to December 2020 were recruited in this study. Their basic characteristics, life style, history of underlying diseases, and laboratory examination were surveyed and collected. According to whether they meet the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, the participants were divided into a sarcopenia group (198 cases) and a control group (2 338 cases). SPSS statistics 24.0 was used for data analysis. Depending on data type, student′s t test, Z test or Chi-square test was employed for intergroup comparison. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the influencing factors for sarcopenia. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia was 7.8% (198/2 536) in the participants, and the prevalence was increased with aging and with increment of blood pressure with statistical significances (all P<0.05). Hypertension (OR=3.075,95%CI 2.077-4.551; P<0.001) and elevated creatinine (OR=1.010,95%CI 1.003-1.016; P=0.005) were independent risk factors for sarcopenia, while low body mass index (BMI) (OR=0.676,95% CI 0.632-0.723; P<0.001), dairy intake (OR=0.532,95%CI 0.379-0.748; P<0.001) and exercise (OR=0.216,95%CI 0.150-0.312; P<0.001) were independent protective factors for sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia in hypertensive participants was 9.1% (151/1656). Advanced age (OR=1.156,95%CI 1.119-1.194; P<0.001), elevated urea nitrogen (OR=1.177,95%CI 1.045-1.324; P=0.007), and increased hemoglobin (OR=1.026,95% CI 1.010-1.043; P=0.001) were independent risk factors for sarcopenia in the hypertensive population, while low BMI (OR=0.613,95%CI 0.559-0.673; P<0.001), dairy intake (OR=0.499,95%CI 0.320-0.778; P=0.002), and exercise (OR=0.148,95%CI 0.093-0.235; P<0.001) were independent protective factors for sarcopenia in the hypertensive population. Conclusion The prevalence of sarcopenia is increased with the increment of blood pressure. Hypertension is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia, so more attention should be paid to sarcopenia in elderly patients with hypertension.