[Objective] To explore the key issues that restrict the development of China National Sustainable Communities (CNSCs) in mountain area of central south of Shandong Province in order to provide decision-making references for the development of CNSCs in mountain area.[Methods] Based on the 3-dimensional interpretation of sustainable development science and the conceptual definition of sustainable development degree of CNSCs

this paper chose 29 index from economy

society

environment

science and technology aspects

to evaluate the development of subsystem

development degree of CNSCs

coordination degree

sustainability and sustainable development degree of four CNSCs (three types) in mountain area of central south of Shandong Province in 2009-2015.[Results] CNSCs was characterized by weak sustainable development as the increase of development degree fluctuated. The coordination and sustainable development degree was low

and the coordination degree had the most significant effect on sustainable development degree of CNSCs. Science and technology subsystem did not give fully play to a leading and support role

and there were no obvious association between sustainable development characteristics and the type of CNSCs during the study period. Unfortunately

the key issues that restrict local sustainable development had not yet been fundamentally solved.[Conclusion] We should strengthen the construction of regional innovation system

explore new ways to guide the coordinated and sustainable development of CNSCs

establish sustainable development model according local conditions

to promote coordinated and sustainable development of CNSCs in mountain area of central south of Shandong Province in future.