Based on the land use statistical data from 1996 to 2006, variation characteristics of rural residential land in Shijiazhuang city were analyzed by using comparison analysis method and trend analysis method. The results showed, the total amount of rural residential land and per capita land of rural residential area was too large and the increasing speed was too fast; the number of rural residential area was decreased; the increase of rural residential land mainly took up agricultural land especially high quality cultivated land, the contribution rate of the amount of rural residential land taking up cultivated land was 23.81% of the total amount of cultivated land reduction, whereas the decrease of rural residential land was mainly transferred to livestock and poultry raising land; rural residential land and its variations had an apparently regional differentiation, which was classified into special control area, key control area, strengthening control area and sustainable control area according to the status quo and variation characteristics of per capita land of rural residential area of the cities and counties, and corresponding control measures were taken respectively to prevent the rapid sprawl of rural residential land as soon as possible.

rural residential land; variation characteristics; Shijiazhuang city