The evolution trend of industrial structure and competitiveness of resource-based cities in Shanxi province from 2003 to 2017 were quantitatively analyzed by using the methods of industrial structure entropy, Theil index , shift-share analysis method. The results are follows. ①From 2003 to 2017, the industrial structure of Yangquan, Linfen and Yuncheng tends to be diversified, and the industrial structure of the other seven cities of Datong tends to be specialized. The rationalization level of industrial structure in Datong, Yangquan and Yuncheng is reduced, and the industrial structure of seven cities such as Changzhi tends to be rationalized. Except Lüliang city, the other nine resource-based cities all tend to be high-grade industrial structure. ② From the perspective of the structure and competitive advantages and disadvantages of the three industries, the development of the primary and secondary industries show a deteriorating trend, with the double disadvantage areas of the primary industry expanding significantly and the double advantage areas of the secondary industry shrinking significantly. The tertiary industry shows a good trend of development, and the double-disadvantage areas have been significantly reduced. Finally, from the perspective of government macro-policy and the development characteristics of resource-based cities, countermeasures to improve industrial competitiveness and transformation development of resource-based cities in Shanxi province are put forward.