According to the statistical data from field survey in rural areas of Jiangsu province

the structural features of rural residential buildings are analyzed. In addition

the overall seismic damage characteristics of rural residential buildings during several earthquakes in Jiangsu since1970 are summarized. Finally

an analysis of the aseismic performance and earthquake damage prediction on the existing typical rural residential buildings in Jiangsu is carried out. The results show that :（1） The main rural residential buildings are undefended multi-story or single-story masonry buildings and brick-wood buildings.（2） In general

for the buildings at the areas of 6-degree earthquake intensity

soil-wood structural buildings will have medium-severe damage

and brick-wood structural buildings will have slight-medium damage. However brick masonry buildings will be basically intact. For 7-degree areas

soil-wood structural buildings will have severe damage

and brick-wood structural buildings will have medium-severe damage. For brick masonry buildings

there will be slight-medium damage. For 8-or 9-degree areas

soil-wood and brickwood structural buildings will have severe damage or even be destroyed. Brick masonry buildings will have medium-severe damage

and frame structural buildings will be basically intact or have minor damage. For 10-degree areas

frame structural buildings will have medium-severe damage

while the other buildings will have severe damage or even be destroyed;（3） Reducing the number of floors and adding basic aseismic measures can effectively reduce the overall earthquake damage factor of buildings. Besides

the construction and popularization of centralized residential buildings with aseismic measures can effectively improve the overall aseismic performance of rural residential buildings.