The habitat and community characteristics of the secondary Cotinus coggygria shrub community were analyzed based on field investigations in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region. Results showed a total 56 species belonging to 37 genera and 30 families in the community. Both the species composition and community were low. Light-liking, drought-tolerant, barren and alkaline soil-tolerant species were the majority in the community. Altitude and soil available phosphorus were the two most important factors resulting in habitat differences. Species distributions were significantly affected by altitude, slope and aspect. Species density significantly negatively correlated with altitude, while species height significantly positively correlated with aspect. Soil pH significantly negatively correlated with species diversity and evenness. Species density significantly positively correlated with available potassium. Both the species richness and diversity positively, while coverage negatively, correlated with available phosphorus. In summary, altitude, slope and aspect were the main factors affecting species distribution while soil available phosphorus and pH were the main factors affecting species diversity. Altitude, aspect, slope, soil available phosphorus and available potassium were the main factors that affected the quantitative characteristics of community. There was a significantly negative correlation between the overall interspecific associations of community and the interspecific association of species. The interspecific association was loose and in an unstable shrub-grass stage. The ecosystem was fragile and sensitive to the changes in habitats. In conclusion, for a combined strategies to protect the existing communities of C. coggygria and their habitats, to select the suitable native species for rational allocation, and promote the species diversity and community succession are timely needed for the ecological restoration of C. coggygria communities in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region.