Objective To investigate the association between classical transient receptor potential channel 3（TRPC3）gene polymorphism and microalbuminuria（MAU）in patients with essential hypertension. Methods A total of 449 patients were recruited and the patients were assigned to two groups：Hypertension group（EH group，n = 378）and hypertension with MAU group（EH+MAU group，n = 71）according to microalbuminuria in 24 h. PCR amplification，Mass Array were used for genotyping the single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP）sites of the TRPC3 gene. Results There were significant differences in age，body mass index，triglycerides，24 h mean systolic blood pressure，and 24 h mean diastolic blood pressure between the two groups（P < 0.05）. There were significant differences in the genotype，allele and dominant model（GG/GT + TT）at rs953691（P < 0.05）. Logistic regression analysis showed triglycerides，24 h mean systolic blood pressure（≥ 150 mmHg），and GG genotype at rs953691 were risk factors for MAU in patients with essential hypertension. Conclusion The GG genotype at rs953691 in the TRPC3 gene may increase the risk of MAU in hypertensive patients.