<i>Summary</i> <p>Hip fracture poses a major public health burden in aging populations. The relationship between long-term air pollution exposure and hip fracture risk remains unclear. In our study, long-term exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ was associated with increased hip fracture risk, while ozone exposure showed a protective effect.</p> Purpose <p>This study aimed to evaluate the associations between major air pollutants and incident hip fracture in a nationwide Chinese cohort.</p> Methods <p>We included 14,101 participants aged ≥ 45&#xa0;years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011–2020). Annual concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, and NO₂ were estimated using the CHAP dataset. Log-binomial regression models were applied to calculate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness and consistency of the findings.</p> Results <p>During a 9-year follow-up, 474 participants (3.37%) experienced hip fracture. Each 10&#xa0;µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations was associated with a higher risk of hip fracture (PM_2.5: RR 1.129, 95% CI 1.071–1.191; PM₁₀: RR 1.052, 95% CI 1.024–1.081). In contrast, ozone exposure showed an inverse association (RR 0.518, 95% CI 0.458–0.585). No overall association was found for NO₂, although an elevated risk was observed in the third exposure quartile (RR 1.302, 95% CI 1.012–1.675). Subgroup analyses indicated stronger PM_2.5-related risks among participants with higher education levels, a more pronounced inverse association with ozone in adults aged &lt; 60&#xa0;years and current smokers, and greater NO₂-related risk among non-smokers.</p> Conclusions <p>Long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ increased hip fracture risk, while ozone exposure appeared protective. Moderate NO₂ exposure may also affect bone fragility. These results highlight the need for pollutant-specific prevention strategies.</p>