Background The correlation between remnant cholesterol (RC) and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) has not been illustrated. The present study aims to explore the correlation between RC levels and UACR in Chinese community adults. Methods This study included 35 848 participants from a cohort study (REACTION). The UACR data were divided into three groups: UACR <10 mg/g, 10 <= UACR<30 mg/g, and UACR >= 30 mg/g groups. RC was divided into two groups, according to the 75th percentile: The RC exhibited an adjusted odds ratio that was significant in models 1-5. Although all confounders were corrected in model 5, RC and UACR were still significantly correlated? and the correlation was more significant in females?when compared to males (odds ratio [OR]: 1.117, 95% CI: 1.063-1.176,P < 0.001 for all subjects; OR: 1.092, 95% CI: 1.128-1.161,P= 0.004 for females; and OR: 1.085, 95% CI: 0.998-1.194,P= 0.088 for males). The RC was significantly correlated with UACR for subjects with 5.6 <= fasting blood glucose < 7.0 or 7.8 <= post-load blood glucose < 11.1 mmol/L, 24 <= body mass index (BMI) < 28 kg/m(2), 120 <= systolic blood pressure < 140 and/or 80 <= diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg. Conclusions In the Chinese community, RC is highly correlated with UACR, and the correlation is more significant in females compared with males. At higher RC levels, patients with critical values of blood pressure, BMI and blood glucose have a more significant correlation between RC and UACR.