Abstract: This paper explores the socio-spatial structure transformation in a dualistic society of Shanghai based on the data of recent census. The result shows that that in Shanghai, as a typical immigrant city, there is strong continuity in the spatial structure model characterized by population sources. A dualistic spatial structure is quite visible. As the main settlement of foreign population and native population, the center of the city is spreading outside with urban sprawl. Mainly occupied by inter-provincial migrants, the suburban ring around the center city is broadening and at the same time retreating to the outer suburb. The urban socio-spatial structure is a comprehensive result of city elite politics, institution segmentation, unique city history and other factors. The analysis of urban socio-spatial structure supported by precise data will help to refine public policies so that they can be adapted to the urban structure transformation. It is necessary to build up a particular analysis framework of socio-spatial structure in accordance with the particularity of the target city.