Objective To investigate the density and seasonal variation of ticks captured from human settlement and surroundings in China, and to provide a basis for risk assessment and scientific prevention and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Methods The tick surveillance data in 2018 were collected from 53 surveillance sites of the National Vectors Surveillance in China. The dominant species of ticks were analyzed, and the density and seasonal variation of ticks were compared between different hosts, habitats, and provinces. Results Haemaphysalis longicornis was detected most frequently in 2018. Among the host animals, sheep and cattle had the highest tick index, and the tick index of urban pet dogs increased from 0.04 in 2017 to 0.15 in 2018. The tick density in surroundings of villages was higher than that in scenic areas. The highest index of on-host ticks was observed in July, and the highest density of questing ticks was observed in August; their secondary peaks were observed in April to May, and on-host ticks had an additional peak in September. Conclusion Haemaphysalis longicornis was the predominat species of ticks in human habitats and surroundings in China, sheep and cattle were dominant host animals, and surroundings of villages are the dominant habitat of ticks. There were 3 peaks in the curve of the index of on-host ticks and 2 peaks in the curve of the density of questing ticks. There was an increase in the tick index of urban pet dogs from 2017 to 2018. These results suggest that tick prevention and control should be strengthened for rural domestic animals and in surroundings of villages, as well as in early spring and the middle of the year. Tick infection in urban pets should not be neglected.