Background Evidence has suggested the linkage between sleep habits and several metabolic diseases, but the association of sleep factors with bone health remains unclear, especially in regions with low economic levels. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of nocturnal sleep duration and sleep midpoint with the osteoporosis risk in a rural population. Method Eligible subjects were derived from the Henan Rural Cohort Study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was applied to collect sleep information including sleep initiating time and wake-up time. The bone mineral density of the calcaneus was measured by the ultrasonic bone density apparatus. Multivariable logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines were utilized to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results For 8033 participants, 1636 subjects suffered from osteoporosis. Compared with the reference group (7 similar to h group), the ORs and 95% CI of osteoporosis associated with duration of nocturnal sleep were 1.32 (1.10, 1.56), 1.59 (1.25, 2.01), and 1.82 (1.25, 2.65) in the 8 similar to h, 9 similar to h, and >= 10 h group, respectively. Additionally, the adjusted ORs and 95% CI were 1.20 (1.01, 1.44) in the early sleep midpoint group and 1.09 (0.92, 1.29) in the intermediate sleep midpoint, compared with the late. Furthermore, there was a joint effect of long duration of nocturnal sleep and the early sleep midpoint on osteoporosis. Conclusion Long duration of nocturnal sleep and early sleep midpoint were independently and jointly associated with higher risk of osteoporosis in rural areas.