A cross-sectional study was carried out among women 20 to 60 years of age living in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors. Census tract sampling was used, and the outcome was defined by the presence of arterial pressure >or= 140/90mmHg and/or use of anti-hypertensive drugs. Among 1,020 interviewed people, 267 (26.2%; 95%CI: 23.5-28.9) presented hypertension. Poisson regression showed a statistically significant association with age, skin color, marital status, family history, educational background, and nutritional status. The highest attributable fractions were observed among women with schooling <or=4 years (18.38%); obese women (33.86%); and overweight women (22.55%). The results were compared to other hypertension prevalence studies in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, and the results showed the need for inter-sector efforts, highlighting the possible contribution of increasing people's level of schooling. The study also showed the relevance of weight loss measures in the adult population.