31 topsoil samples (0~5 cm) were collected in Jiading District, Shanghai in light of diversity of landuse patterns and uniformity of spatial distribution. Magnetic susceptibility (χ _lf ) and heavy metal contents (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and Mn) of the samples were determined. Results show that the topsoils in Jiading District are generally enhanced in magnetic intensity, which varies much spatially within a range from 35.1×10^-8 m³ kg^-1~1 676.9×10^-8 m³ kg^-1, and is averaged to be 177.9×10^-8 m³ kg^-1. Moreover, the topsoilχ _lf also varies with the landuse pattern, and generally follows a decreasing order of industral soils > roadside soils > cultivated soils > forest soils. A close relationship between the enhancement of χ _lf and accumulation of heavy metals in the topsoils was also observed: Topsoil χ _lf values are in significant positive correlation with contents of Zn, Cr and Cd (p＜0.01), and with the integrated pollution indexes (p＜0.05) as well. The findings further suggest that the magnetic method can be used as an effective tool in monitoring and evaluating heavy metal pollution of the soils in Shanghai.