Objective To investigate the difference in first onset age, family history and medication compliance between male and female patients with schizophrenia in communities. Methods We used self-designed questionnaire to survey and analyze 372 cases of schizophrenia between June to August 2014. Results There were no significant differences between male and female schizophrenic patients in the family history, personality before the disease, education level, age, and the onset type and disease course (P > 0.05). The first onset age of male patients [(24.92±8.22) years] was significantly earlier than female patients [(27.02±11.28) years] and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The number of unmarried male patients (115, 58.97%) was significantly more than unmarried females (81, 45.76%) and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The full medication compliance rate of female patients (127, 71.75%) was significantly better than that of male patients (115, 58.97%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion The first onset age, marital status and medication compliance are significantly different between the two genders of patients with schizophrenia, which indicates that prevention, treatment and recovery measures for male and female patients should be differentiated.