This study was carried out to look into the cognitive function of the elderly in community and investigate the factors affecting their cognitive decline provide preliminary data so as to help develop a program to maintain and promote cognitive function. With 481 senior citizens aged over 65 in J. city, a survey was conducted on their demographic characteristics, health-related characteristics and depression using structured questionnaires from September 1 through 7, 2011. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics V. 20. As a result of this study, 40.1% of the subjects showed cognitive decline and the factors related to their cognitive decline turned out to be the level of education (p<.001), age (p=.000), depression and exercise (p<.05). Therefore, intervention programs on depression or exercise should be implemented intensively and in particular, various programs and educations should be provided considering individual differences according to the level of education and age.