The classification of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors has changed greatly. The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) and other institutions have conducted analyses the incidence rate and characteristics of primary CNS tumors. However, there are limited studies analyzing the incidence rate and characteristics of CNS tumors in China. To better understood the CNS tumors in China, we summarized all primary CNS tumors diagnosed pathologically in a single center from 2003 to 2019. All patients with primary CNS tumors who underwent neurosurgery at our Hospital from Jan 2003 to Dec 2019 were included in this study. The data were collected from the hospital information system, including diagnosis time, age, gender, anatomical sites, pathological results, etc. A total of 17,226 cases of primary CNS tumors were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Among all cases, the major tumor types included meningiomas, tumors of neuroepithelial tissue, and pituitary adenomas. The majority of tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were glioblastoma and astrocytoma. Most tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were located in the frontal lobe. However, Grade 4 tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were more common in the temporal lobe. The median age of all patients was 46 years. The incidence of CNS tumors were higher in women than in men. Based on this data set, we analyzed various parameters of CNS tumors and found Grade 4 tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were more common in the temporal lobe, which were rarely reported in previous articles.Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.