Aims Studies on the relationship between socio-economic status and Type2 diabetes mellitus in the Chinese population are sparse. We aimed to examine the relation of socio-economic status as represented by income, education and occupation to impaired fasting glucose, Type2 diabetes, and the control of Type2 diabetes in a large Chinese population. Methods This study included 7315 individuals who were aged 2079years and living in Tianjin, China. Impaired fasting glucose and Type2 diabetes were ascertained according to the 1999 World Health Organization criteria. Data were analysed using multinomial and binary logistic regression, with adjustment for potential confounders. Result Among all participants, 532 (7.3%) persons had impaired fasting glucose, 688 (9.4%) persons had Type2 diabetes, including 288 (3.9%) previously undiagnosed Type2 diabetes. In fully adjusted multinomial logistic regression, compared with higher income (2000 yuan, $243.3/month), lower income (<1000 yuan, $121.70/month) showed odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 3.31 (2.484.41) for impaired fasting glucose, 4.50 (3.076.61) for undiagnosed Type2 diabetes and 4.56 (3.206.48) for diagnosed Type2 diabetes. These results remained significant in the analysis stratified by education and occupation. Furthermore, persons who were retired were more likely to have impaired fasting glucose [odds ratio1.91 (1.402.45)], undiagnosed Type2 diabetes [odds ratio2.01) 1.402.89] and diagnosed Type2 diabetes [odds ratio3.02 (2.124.22)]. Among the patients with Type2 diabetes previously diagnosed, lower education (less than senior high school), non-manual work and unemployment were related to worse glycaemic control (fasting blood glucose level >8.5mmol/l). Conclusions Lower income and retirement are associated with increased odds of impaired fasting glucose and Type2 diabetes in Tianjin, China. Education and occupation may play a role in glycaemic control among patients with Type2 diabetes.