Modernization theory predicts loosening family ties and the gradual decline of family supports for the elderly.In a transitional economy,we argue that the rapidly growing income for adult children helps to maintain family supports for the elderly at a high level.Data from 2005 China’s 1% population survey shows that half of elderly people in towns or rural areas relied on family supports as the main source for living.The odds-ratio from Logistic regression shows that family supports were far greater for females than males and far greater for rural than for urban residents.Labor migration by a rural household member greatly enhanced the odds of family supports for the elderly in rural areas.In the cities,we found that the odds of family support were the highest in the well-developed regions along the coast.As the population is rapidly aging,more government efforts are needed to expand socialized supports for the elderly,especially to the weakest.