Introduction: Among the threat of non-communicable diseases, hypertension is one of the potential health problems causing significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Our recent study observed the prevalence of hypertension is as high as 41%, but the exact risk factors for hypertension are unknown. In this study we analyze the risk factors for hypertension in the Indonesian population, based on data from the National Basic Health Survey (Riset Kesehatan Dasar – Riskesdas) 2018. Methods: We included subjects age >18 years and analyzed a large set of risk factors for hypertension: age, gender, body mass index, occupation status, level of education, consumption of salty food, consumption of fruit and vegetables, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, comorbid condition (heart disease, diabetes, stroke), and access to healthcare facility. Hypertension defined as measurement of blood pressure based on JNC VII criteria and previous diagnosis of hypertension made by a physician. The associations between hypertension and risk factors were examined using multiple logistic regression models. Results: We included 389,093 subjects out of 713,783 subjects participated in Riskesdas 2018 survey. The majority of hypertensive subjects was female (62.6%) and within the age of 40–59 years (50.2%). Compared to normal-blood pressure group, hypertensive subjects were likely having lower education status (36.9% vs 54.8%), were more obese (19.2% vs 34.3%), physically less active (47.5% vs 53.3%), had more heart disease (1.7% vs 3.9%), more diabetes mellitus (1.8% vs 5.65%), and more stroke (0.4% vs 3.7%). Older age (>60 years) was identified as a robust independent risk factor for hypertension (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.76–2.29; p < 0.001), beyond the influence of other risk factors such as obesity (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.04–2.07; p = 0.02), low education status (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.35–1.39; p < 0.001), and unemployed (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.08–1.12; p < 0.001). While interactions within other traditional risk factors were necessary for the occurrence of hypertension (i.e., heart disease∗age, heart disease∗alcohol consumption, heart disease∗stroke, heart disease∗salty food consumption, heart disease∗diabetes, heart disease∗less physical activity, diabetes∗gender, diabetes∗salty food consumption, diabetes∗less physical activity). Conclusion: This study confirmed traditional risk factors play an important role in the development of hypertension in Indonesian population, particularly older age.