[Objective] The spatial characteristics and distribution pattern of soil salt in irrigation area was studied, in order to analyze the relationship between the spatial pattern of soil salt and groundwater, soil physical parameters.[Methods] Jigesitai sub-district in the south bank irrigation area of the Yellow River was taken as an example. The soil samples in 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm layers were collected. The soil salt content, soil volume water content at 0-20 cm layer, particle composition, dry bulk density were measured, soil heat capacity and thermal conductivity were converted, and groundwater depth and salt content were monitored simultaneously. The spatial distribution characteristics of salt content and its spatial correlation were analyzed by classical statistical method and geostatistical method.[Results] The irrigation area was in the state of non-mild salinization. The soil salt showed a middle degree spatial variation and relatively independent random distribution. Spatial structure characteristics were fitted by Gaussian and exponential model. Soil salt was negatively correlated with groundwater depth, and positively correlated with groundwater salt content. The area with groundwater depth less than 1.6 m had a higher probability of slightly salinization. The soil salt at 0-20 cm layer was positively correlated with clay content, soil bulk density, moisture content, thermal conductivity and heat capacity in spatial range of 2~6 km, and negatively correlated with sand content in spatial range of 2~4 km. The soil salt at 20-60 cm layer was significantly related to clay content, sand content, thermal conductivity, heat capacity and water content of 0-20 cm soil layer, and the correlation range was slightly different from that of the soil surface.[Conclusion] The area with high clay content, high water content and groundwater depth less than 1.6 m is the key area of soil salinization control in the irrigation area.