Abstract: The evolution process of rural industrial land in southern Jiangsu is the core content of regional rural transformation and development. We detect the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of rural industrial land since the new millennium. The results show that: (1) From 2000 to 2016, the area of rural industrial land in Jiangyin City increased significantly, with a net increase of 2 543.28 hm2; The concentration of rural industrial land distribution characteristics increased continuously and the regional differences were significant; the main traffic road has gradually strengthened the layout of rural industries, and the directivity of rivers and townships to the layout of rural industrial land declined. (2) The intensity of rural industrial land expansion was high in the north; the rural industrial land in each township experienced different expansion degrees from 2000 to 2016, with an annual expansion index between 0.46% and 1.12%. (3) The expansion mode of rural industrial land was mainly contagious mode, supplemented by shrinkage and filling mode, accompanied by partly enclave mode. The intensity of rural industrial land expansion affected the expansion mode. Excessive expansion intensity inhibited the spread of rural industrial land. The spread and filled expansion area of rural increased industrial land with the weakening intensity.