View source for Delta, British Columbia

{{Short description|City in Canada}}
{{Other uses|Delta (disambiguation){{!}}Delta}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Delta
| official_name      =
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in British Columbia|City]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| total_width   = 280
| border        = infobox
| caption_align = center
| perrow        = 1/2/2
| image1        = Bridge Street & Delta Street - 37542593804.jpg
| caption1      = Bridge Street and Delta Street
| image2        = BC Ferries.jpg
| caption2      = [[Tsawwassen ferry terminal]]
| image3        = BC99 at BC17 Aerial - Delta (50729596921).jpg
| caption3      = Aerial View of Farmland
| image4        = 2019-03-12 Delta (47399595962).jpg
| caption4      = [[Alex Fraser Bridge]]
| image5        = Roberts Bank Superport from the ferry.jpg
| caption5      = [[Roberts Bank Superport]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Delta, British Columbia.svg
| image_shield       = Corpdelta.png
| image_blank_emblem = City of Delta logo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| motto = {{force singular}} ''Ours to preserve by hand and heart''
| image_map          = Delta in Metro Vancouver.svg
| mapsize            = 220px
| map_caption        = Location of Delta in [[Metro Vancouver]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|49|05|05|N|123|03|31|W|region:CA-BC|notes=<ref>{{Cite cgndb|JAYRE|Delta}}</ref>|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Canada
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Regional district]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[British Columbia]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Metro Vancouver Regional District|Metro Vancouver]]
| established_title  = Incorporated as a [[district municipality]]
| established_date   = November 10, 1879<ref>{{Cite web |title=CivicInfo BC {{!}} Municipality: Delta (City) |url=https://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/municipalities?id=26#showSpace |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.civicinfo.bc.ca |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702233104/https://civicinfo.bc.ca/municipalities?id=26#showSpace |url-status=live }}</ref>
| established_title1 = Incorporated as a city
| established_date1  = September 22, 2017
| seat_type          = Seats of government
| seat               = Delta City Hall<br />North Delta Centre for the Arts
| government_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Council Meeting Schedule |url=https://www.delta.ca/sites/default/files/2022-04/Public%20-%202022%20Council%20Meeting%20Schedule%20revised.pdf |access-date=August 9, 2022 |publisher=City of Delta |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528055329/https://www.delta.ca/sites/default/files/2022-04/Public%20-%202022%20Council%20Meeting%20Schedule%20revised.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Council Members |url=https://www.delta.ca/city-hall/delta-council/delta-council-members |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=City of Delta |archive-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815103153/https://www.delta.ca/city-hall/delta-council/delta-council-members |url-status=live }}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government]]
| governing_body     = Delta City Council
| leader_party       = Achieving for Delta
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[George Harvie (politician)|George Harvie]]
| leader_title1      = City Council
| leader_name1       = {{Collapsible list
|title = List of councillors
|1 = Rod Binder
|2 = Daniel Boisvert
|3 = Jessie Dosanjh
|4 = Alicia Guichon
|5 = Jennifer Johal
|6 = Dylan Kruger
}}
| area_total_km2     = 364
| area_land_km2      = 179.66
| elevation_m        = 10
| population_total   = 108455
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2021census" />
| population_density_km2 = 603.7
| population_est     = 116610
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref>{{Cite web |last=Services |first=Ministry of Citizens' |title=Population Estimates – Province of British Columbia |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/statistics/people-population-community/population/population-estimates |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www2.gov.bc.ca |archive-date=2024-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703194926/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/statistics/people-population-community/population/population-estimates |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_rank    = [[List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population|52nd]] in Canada
| population_demonym = Deltan
| utc_offset         = −08:00
| timezone1          = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −07:00
| timezone_DST       = [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]]
| postal_code_type   = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]]
| postal_code        = [[List of V postal codes of Canada|V4C – V4G, V4K – V4M]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 604|604]], [[Area codes 778, 236, and 672|778, 236, 672]]
| area_code_type     = [[Area codes]]
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| leader_name2       = [[Jill McKnight]] ([[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]])
| leader_name3       = [[Ravi Kahlon]] ([[British Columbia New Democratic Party|BC NDP]]), [[Ian Paton (politician)|Ian Paton]] ([[Conservative Party of British Columbia|Conservative]])
| leader_title2      = [[Current members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
| leader_title3      = [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|MLAs]]
}}

'''Delta''' is a city in the [[Lower Mainland]] region of [[British Columbia]], Canada, and part of [[Greater Vancouver]]. Located on the [[Fraser Lowland]] south of [[Fraser River]]'s south [[distributary|arm]], it is bordered by the city of [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]] on [[Lulu Island]] to the north, [[New Westminster]] to the northeast, [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]] to the east, the [[Boundary Bay]] and the [[America]]n [[pene-exclave]] [[Point Roberts, Washington|Point Roberts]] to the south, and the [[Strait of Georgia]] to the west.

Encompassing the nearby [[Annacis Island]], [[Deas Island]] and [[Westham Island]], Delta is mostly [[rural]] and officially composed of three distinct communities: [[North Delta, British Columbia|North Delta]], [[Ladner, British Columbia|Ladner]] and [[Tsawwassen, British Columbia|Tsawwassen]].

==History==
Prior to European settlement, Delta's flatlands and coastal shores were inhabited by the [[Tsawwassen First Nation]] of the [[Coast Salish]]. The land was first sighted by Europeans in 1791, when Spanish explorer Lieutenant [[Francisco de Eliza]] mistook the area for an island and named it "Isla de Cepeda". The first European settler in Delta was James Kennedy who pre-empted 135 acres in what later became Annieville in February 1860. Thomas and [[William Henry Ladner|William Ladner]], began farming the area named after them in 1868. Farming and fishing helped the community grow quickly over the next few decades. In 1879, the area was incorporated as a municipality, named "the Corporation of Delta", and the village of Ladner was made as its administrative centre.

Due to its geography, Delta was a relatively isolated community. The completion of the [[George Massey Tunnel]] in 1959 linking Ladner to [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]] and [[Vancouver]] along with the opening, in 1960, of the [[Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal]] and the [[British Columbia Highway 99|Highway 99]] being rerouted from the King George Highway in Surrey in 1962 to a new route through Delta, ended Delta's isolation and resulted in a massive 400% population growth over the next 20 years. The 1986 completion of the [[Alex Fraser Bridge]] connecting [[North Delta, British Columbia|North Delta]] to [[New Westminster]] and Vancouver also helped Delta's growth.

On 22 September 2017, at the request of Delta's council, the [[British Columbia#Government and politics|Government of British Columbia]] changed the name and classification of the Corporation of Delta to the City of Delta.<ref name=citystatus>{{cite web |publisher=Province of British Columbia |url=http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0362_2017 |title=Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council |date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019055128/http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0362_2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Neighbourhoods==
Delta comprises three distinct, geographically separate communities:
*[[North Delta, British Columbia|North Delta]] (pop: 51,623) is home to over half of Delta's population. It is a largely suburban area in north-east Delta bordered by the [[Burns Bog]] and [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]].
*[[Ladner, British Columbia|Ladner]] (pop: 21,112) is a 19th-century fishing village in northwest Delta that has expanded into a suburb. Fishing and farming are important industries. Ladner Trunk Road is its main street.
*[[Tsawwassen, British Columbia|Tsawwassen]] (pop: 20,933) is a suburban community in the southwest Delta that calls itself the sunniest place in [[Metro Vancouver]]. Luxury waterfront homes line Tsawwassen's coast. Tsawwassen is also home to the busy Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal which links the mainland to [[Vancouver Island]] and the [[Gulf Islands]]. Tsawwassen, together with Ladner are also known as South Delta.

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical populations
|type        = Canada
|align       = right
|width       = 
|state       = 
|shading     = 
|percentages = 
|footnote    = [[Statistics Canada]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Columbia Municipal Population Estimates 1996–2005 |url=http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/mun/Mun9605a.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719075850/http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/mun/Mun9605a.asp |archive-date=19 July 2012}}</ref>
|1921|2839
|1931|3709
|1941|4287
|1951|6701
|1956|8752
|1961|14597
|1966|20664
|1971|45860
|1976|64492
|1981|74692
|1986|79610
|1991|88978
|[[Canada 1996 Census|1996]]|95411
|[[Canada 2001 Census|2001]]|96950
|[[Canada 2006 Census|2006]]|96723
|[[Canada 2011 Census|2011]]|99863
|[[Canada 2016 Census|2016]]|102238
|[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]|108455}}

In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Delta had a population of 108,455 living in 38,058 of its 39,736 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:108455-102238}}|102238|1}} from its 2016 population of 102,238. With a land area of {{cvt|179.66|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|108455|179.66|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000259 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 9, 2022 | access-date=February 20, 2022 | archive-date=10 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210104441/https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000259 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2011, the median age was 42.8 years old, which is slightly higher than the national median age of 40.6 years old. There were 35,781 private dwellings with an occupancy rate of 97.1%. According to the 2011 National Household Survey, the median value of a dwelling in Delta is $562,181 which is significantly higher than the national average of $280,552. The median household income (after taxes) in Delta is $71,590, quite higher than the national average at $54,089.

===Ethnicity===
As of 2021, Delta's population is 108,455. About 45% of Delta's population are [[visible minorities]], of which there are approximately 28,000 [[South Asian Canadian|South Asians]], 9,700 [[Chinese Canadians|Chinese people]], and 3,700 [[Filipino Canadians|Filipinos]].<ref name="2021censusB"/> There are also about 3,180 [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]] peoples or 3% of the total population,<ref name="2021censusB"/> some from [[Tsawwassen First Nation]], who still hold a fraction of their former traditional territories; the [[Tsawwassen Lands]] at the mouth of the Fraser River, which is shared with the [[Hwlitsum First Nation]] from the [[Gulf Islands]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} Forming over one-quarter (26.1%) of the population, Delta has the fourth largest municipal South Asian population in British Columbia after neighbouring Vancouver, Surrey and [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]].

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in Delta (2001–2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=delta&DGUIDlist=2021A00055915011&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2022-11-09 |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |archive-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109234838/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=delta&DGUIDlist=2021A00055915011&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016census">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-27 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Geo2=CD&Code2=5915&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2022-11-09 |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110052202/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Geo2=CD&Code2=5915&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web |date=2015-11-27 |title=NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Data=Count&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2022-11-09 |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110052218/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Data=Count&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006census">{{Cite web |date=2019-08-20 |title=2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2022-11-09 |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110052158/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001census">{{Cite web |date=2019-07-02 |title=2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2022-11-09 |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |archive-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109234839/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=delta&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name="euro"|group="nb"}}
| 55,465
| {{Percentage | 55465 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 61,835
| {{Percentage | 61835 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 66,630
| {{Percentage | 66630 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 68,400
| {{Percentage | 68400 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 72,375
| {{Percentage | 72375 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 27,990
| {{Percentage | 27990 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 20,485
| {{Percentage | 20485 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 17,030
| {{Percentage | 17030 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 14,220
| {{Percentage | 14220 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 12,035
| {{Percentage | 12035 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name="EastAsian"|group="nb"}}
| 11,040
| {{Percentage | 11040 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 9,320
| {{Percentage | 9320 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 7,065
| {{Percentage | 7065 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 7,280
| {{Percentage | 7280 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 6,675
| {{Percentage | 6675 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia]]n{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name="SoutheastAsian"|group="nb"}}
| 4,420
| {{Percentage | 4420 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 3,240
| {{Percentage | 3240 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 3,165
| {{Percentage | 3165 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 2,280
| {{Percentage | 2280 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 2,060
| {{Percentage | 2060 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 3,180
| {{Percentage | 3180 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 2,710
| {{Percentage | 2710 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 2,290
| {{Percentage | 2290 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 1,700
| {{Percentage | 1700 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 1,495
| {{Percentage | 1495 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 1,095
| {{Percentage | 1095 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 795
| {{Percentage | 795 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 595
| {{Percentage | 595 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 495
| {{Percentage | 495 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 610
| {{Percentage | 610 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 1,035
| {{Percentage | 1035 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 815
| {{Percentage | 815 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 710
| {{Percentage | 710 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 710
| {{Percentage | 710 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 490
| {{Percentage | 490 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name="MiddleEastern"|group="nb"}}
| 890
| {{Percentage | 890 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 515
| {{Percentage | 515 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 240
| {{Percentage | 240 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 280
| {{Percentage | 280 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 220
| {{Percentage | 220 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
| Other{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name="Other"|group="nb"}}
| 2,140
| {{Percentage | 2140 | 107270 | 2 }}
| 1,120
| {{Percentage | 1120 | 100845 | 2 }}
| 1,010
| {{Percentage | 1010 | 98740 | 2 }}
| 715
| {{Percentage | 715 | 96075 | 2 }}
| 420
| {{Percentage | 420 | 96370 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses{{Efn|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.}}
! 107,270
! {{Percentage | 107270 | 108455 | 2 }}
! 100,845
! {{Percentage | 100845 | 102238 | 2 }}
! 98,740
! {{Percentage | 98740 | 99863 | 2 }}
! 96,075
! {{Percentage | 96075 | 96723 | 2 }}
! 96,370 
! {{Percentage | 96370 | 96950 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population
! 108,455
! {{Percentage | 108455 | 108455 | 2 }}
! 102,238
! {{Percentage | 102238 | 102238 | 2 }}
! 99,863
! {{Percentage | 99863 | 99863 | 2 }}
! 96,723
! {{Percentage | 96723 | 96723 | 2 }}
! 96,950
! {{Percentage | 96950 | 96950 | 2 }}
|}

=== Religion ===
According to the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]], religious groups in Delta included:<ref name="2021censusB"/>
*[[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligion]] (42,990 persons or 40.1%)
*[[Christianity in Canada|Christianity]] (35,025 persons or 32.7%)
*[[Sikhism in Canada|Sikhism]] (19,235 persons or 17.9%)
*[[Hinduism in Canada|Hinduism]] (4,195 persons or 3.9%)
*[[Islam in Canada|Islam]] (3,265 persons or 3.0%)
*[[Buddhism in Canada|Buddhism]] (1,450 persons or 1.4%)
*[[Judaism in Canada|Judaism]] (475 persons or 0.4%)
*[[Mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous spirituality]] (20 persons or 0%)
{{clear}}

==Geography==

[[File:Deas Island in fall.JPG|thumb|left|A trail on Deas Island in late September]]

Delta is located {{cvt|27|km}} south of Vancouver and {{cvt|22|km}} north of the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] at Peace Arch, Surrey. It is bordered by water on three sides: The [[Fraser River]] to the north, the [[Strait of Georgia|Georgia Strait]] to the west and [[Boundary Bay]] to the south. At {{cvt|364|km2}}, Delta is the largest municipality in the GVRD; the second largest is its neighbour to the east, [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]], at {{cvt|317.4|km2}}.

[[File:Trachycarpus fortunei 56 st tsawwassen bc.jpg|thumb|''[[Trachycarpus fortunei]]'' windmill palms line some streets in [[Tsawwassen]]]]

Delta's flat, fertile land has made it one of the most important agricultural areas in [[Greater Vancouver]]. The [[Agricultural Land Reserve]] regulations preserve most of this land for agricultural use, preventing its conversion to suburban housing. [[North Delta, British Columbia|North Delta]] is also home to the [[Burns Bog]], {{cvt|40|km2}} of natural [[wetland]]s that are important for wildlife.

Delta includes [[Annacis Island]], an industrial island reached via the [[Alex Fraser Bridge]], which connects Delta with [[Richmond, BC|Richmond]] and [[New Westminster]]. Delta also includes a peninsula on the east side of the Fraser River at Delta's northern city limits, which is only accessible via [[Surrey, BC|Surrey]].

===Climate===
Delta is known for its relatively dry and sunny climate compared with other locations in [[Metro Vancouver Regional District|Metro Vancouver]]. For example, it receives nearly 40% ({{cvt|927.5|mm}} from 1981 to 2010<ref name="1102425CCN"/>) less precipitation than [[downtown Vancouver]] ({{cvt|1474.9|mm}} at Vancouver Harbour CS from 1971 to 2000)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=vancouver+harbour&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=888&dispBack=1 |title=Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000 Station Data – Vancouver Harbour CS |date=27 June 2024 |publisher=[[Environment and Climate Change Canada]] |access-date=16 September 2024 |archive-date=6 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106214503/https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=Vancouver+Harbour&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=888&dispBack=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> and just over half of that of [[North Vancouver (district municipality)|North Vancouver]] ({{cvt|1805.6|mm}} at North Vancouver 2nd Narrows from 1981 to 2010).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=n+vancouver&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=830&dispBack=0 |title=Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 Station Data – N Vancouver 2nd Narrows |date=27 June 2024 |publisher=[[Environment and Climate Change Canada]] |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> It has a warm-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] (Köppen ''Csb'') with cooler summers and milder winters than other areas on the Canada–U.S. border, and features some of the mildest winters and lowest [[diurnal temperature variation]] in Canada.
{{Tsawwassen weatherbox}}

==Government and politics==
Delta is governed by the Delta City Council, led by a Mayor and six Councillors, elected for four-year terms, and there is also an elected [[school board]]. The current mayor is George Harvie. Unlike most communities in Canada, but like [[Vancouver]] and [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]], Delta has a system of locally based [[Slate (elections)|election slates]] such as TriDelta, IDEA, One Delta, Delta Residents Association, Delta Connect, DIVA, Independents Working For You, and Achieving For Delta.

In the [[House of Commons of Canada]], Delta is part of the [[Delta (federal electoral district)|Delta electoral district]]. As of the 2025 Federal general election, Delta's seat is held by [[Jill McKnight]] of the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]]. In the [[2024 British Columbia general election|2024 provincial general election]], the North Delta seat went to [[Ravi Kahlon]] of the [[British Columbia New Democratic Party]] while the South Delta seat went to [[Ian Paton (politician)|Ian Paton]] of [[BC Conservative Party]].

Delta, unlike most Lower Mainland municipalities, has its [[Delta Police Department|own police department]].

Former Delta mayor [[Lois Jackson]] served from 1999 to 2018 and since 1973 has had a seat on the Delta Council. Jackson was elected to council again in 2018.

==Power==
In Delta is [[BC Hydro|BC Hydro's]] Arnott Substation, the mainland terminal of the southern AC transmission connections providing power to Vancouver Island, and the former converter station for the [[HVDC Vancouver Island]] circuits.

==Transportation==
[[File:Alex Fraser Bridge 02.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Alex Fraser Bridge]] links Delta to [[New Westminster]] and Richmond.]]

*Public transportation in Delta is a bus system provided by [[TransLink (British Columbia)|TransLink]]. There is no rapid transit system in Delta, though the [[SkyTrain (Vancouver)|SkyTrain]] system in [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]] comes within {{cvt|3|km}} of the city's borders.
*Delta is a major transportation hub for the Lower Mainland. Most vehicles leaving Vancouver for the United States pass through Delta's borders. Many vehicles destined for Vancouver Island use the Tsawwassen ferry terminal in Delta.
*[[British Columbia Highway 99|Highway 99]] links [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]] to Delta via the [[George Massey Tunnel]], built in 1959. [[North Delta, British Columbia|North Delta]] is linked to [[New Westminster]] and Richmond by [[British Columbia Highway 91|Highway 91]] and the massive [[Alex Fraser Bridge]] (opened in 1986). Delta is linked to Surrey, [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley]], and all points eastward by [[British Columbia Highway 10|Highway 10]]. Traffic congestion during rush hour is quite common, although improvements are being made to Highway 91 interchanges at 72 Ave to remove a traffic light as well as the ramps from Nordel Way. 
*[[British Columbia Highway 17|Highway 17]] in Delta provides a connection to the [[Tsawwassen ferry terminal|Tsawwassen]] [[BC Ferries|B.C. Ferry]] terminal, which provides car ferry connections to [[Vancouver Island]] and the [[Gulf Islands]]. In December 2013, north of the current junction with Deltaport Way, Highway 17 will be rerouted upon completion of the "South Fraser Perimeter Road", and will primarily run parallel to River Road through Tilbury and North Delta to all points east. The remaining stretch of Highway 17 north of that point will be renamed [[British Columbia Highway 17A|Highway 17A]].
*River Road is also another connector through the municipality. River Road starts in Surrey and heads westbound through North Delta, under the Alex Fraser Bridge, north of Burns Bog, and then terminates at 62B Street, which then turns into Highway 17A.
*Like River Road, the western communities of "South Delta" (Ladner and Tsawwassen) are linked to North Delta and communities to the east by Ladner Trunk Road; east of its crossover of Highway 91, the road becomes Highway 10.
*[[Tsawwassen, British Columbia|56th Street]] is another major artery in the community, bisecting the Tsawwassen region; it is the only road leading into the community of [[Point Roberts, Washington|Point Roberts]], south of the Canada–US border.
*Delta is also home to [[Boundary Bay Airport]], [[List of the busiest airports in Canada|Canada's seventh busiest airport by aircraft movements]]. Boundary Bay Airport is primarily used for private aircraft, commercial charters, and flying lessons.

===Major highways===
*{{jct|state=BC|BC|10}}
*{{jct|state=BC|BC|17}}
*{{jct|state=BC|BC|17A}}
*{{jct|state=BC|BC|91}}
*{{jct|state=BC|BC|99}}

== Health ==
Delta is the westernmost community served by [[Fraser Health|Fraser Health Authority]] which operates [[Delta Hospital]] in Ladner and also funds home and community care. The Delta Hospice Society operates a facility near to the hospital.

== Education ==
[[Delta Public Schools]] operates Anglophone public schools in the city.

The ''[[Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique]]'' operates one Francophone primary school in that city: ''école du Bois-joli''.<ref>"[http://www.csf.bc.ca/ecoles/en-colombie-britannique/carte-des-ecoles/ Carte des écoles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817050550/http://www.csf.bc.ca/ecoles/en-colombie-britannique/carte-des-ecoles/ |date=17 August 2015 }}." ''[[Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique]]''. Retrieved on 22 January 2015.</ref>

==Sports and recreation==
Delta has many minor sports teams in ice hockey, soccer, football, field hockey, baseball, softball, field lacrosse and box lacrosse. Over 160 young people play [[ringette]] in Delta. The Delta Ringette Association has 13 teams in 2005. Notable professional sports players from Delta are [[Jeff Francis]] (MLB), [[James Paxton (baseball)|James Paxton]] (MLB), [[Justin Morneau]] (MLB), [[Brent Seabrook]] (NHL), [[Troy Brouwer]] (NHL) and [[Mitch Berger]] (NFL).
[[File:TourdeDeltaAD.jpg|thumb|[[White Spot / Delta Road Race (men's race)|Tour de Delta]] wall cover on electrical box outside of Delta, British Columbia municipal hall]] Delta formerly hosted their annual Tour de Delta (one-day races, for [[White Spot / Delta Road Race (men's race)|men]] from 2001 to 2019, and for [[White Spot / Delta Road Race (women's race)|women]] from 2011 to 2019). This was at its peak the largest cycling event in Canada until its end in 2019.<ref>https://www.delta-optimist.com/local-news/top-stories-for-2022-last-ride-for-tour-de-delta-6305417</ref>

The Delta Triathlon is also a very popular event, selling out each year in April. The event takes place in Ladner from the Ladner Leisure Centre. Over 500 participants take part, including many from the local South Delta Triathlon Club.
{| class="wikitable"
! Club !! Sport !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Delta Ice Hawks]]
| [[Ice hockey]]
| [[Pacific International Junior Hockey League|PIJHL]]
| [[Ladner Leisure Centre]]
|-
| [[Delta Islanders]]
| [[Box Lacrosse]]
| [[BC Junior A Lacrosse League|BCJALL]]
| [[Ladner Leisure Centre]]
|-
| [[Ladner Pioneers]]
| [[Box Lacrosse]]
| [[West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association|WCSLA]]
| [[Ladner Leisure Centre]]
|}

==Notable people==

*[[Vince Abbott]], former professional American football player; kicker for the [[San Diego Chargers]] (1987–1988)
*[[Dylan Ainsworth]], CFL player
*[[Mitch Berger]], former professional American football player; punter for eight [[National Football League]] teams
*[[Adam Braidwood]], professional Canadian football player; defensive end for the [[Edmonton Eskimos]]
*[[Troy Brouwer]], former professional hockey player
*[[Tyler Connolly]], Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist; vocalist and guitarist for the rock band, [[Theory of a Deadman]]
*[[John Cummins (Canadian politician)|John Cummins]], Canadian politician; Formerly the Conservative Member of Parliament for the riding of [[Delta—Richmond East]], Former leader of the BC Conservative Party
*[[Martin Cummins]], Canadian actor
*[[Kevin Eiben]], professional Canadian football player; linebacker for the [[Toronto Argonauts]]
*[[Jeff Francis]], professional baseball player; starting pitcher for the [[Colorado Rockies]]
*[[Michael Lee (field hockey)|Michael Lee]], Canadian field hockey player
*[[Beck Malenstyn]], professional hockey player, left winger for the [[Washington Capitals]]
*[[Brandon McMillan]], professional hockey player; forward for [[HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk]]
*[[Tyson Mulock]], professional hockey player; centre who has played in the [[Deutsche Eishockey Liga]]
*[[Gary Nylund]], former professional hockey player; defenceman for the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], [[Chicago Blackhawks]], and [[New York Islanders]]
*[[Kyle O'Reilly]], professional wrestler<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/21/16252761.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715055135/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/21/16252761.html |archive-date=15 July 2012|title=Kyle O'Reilly's long journey ends with ROH deal|date=21 November 2010|last=Johns|first=Fred|access-date=7 December 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>
*[[Jason Priestley]], Canadian actor and director
*[[Dave Randorf]], Canadian sportscaster, currently works for [[Rogers Sportsnet]]
*[[Byron Ritchie]], former professional hockey player
*[[Mark Rogers (soccer)|Mark Rogers]], former professional soccer player, Men's National Team Assistant Coach
*[[Davis Sanchez]], professional Canadian football player; cornerback for the [[BC Lions]]
*[[Will Sasso]], Canadian comedian and actor
*[[Brent Seabrook]], professional hockey player; defenceman for the [[Chicago Blackhawks]]
*[[Rob Short]], Canadian field hockey player
*[[Marie Warder]], writer and founder of the [[Canadian Hemochromatosis Society]]
*[[Brendan Gallagher]], professional hockey player; forward for the [[Montreal Canadiens]]
*[[Nehemiah George Massey]], former MLA for Delta serving from 1956 to 1960. [[George Massey Tunnel]] is named for him.
*[[Nic Petan]], professional hockey player; forward for the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
*[[John Oliver (British Columbia politician)|John Oliver]], 19th premier of British Columbia and former MLA for Delta

==Appearances in film and media==
The town is used as the principal filming location for the TV series ''[[Resident Alien (TV series)|Resident Alien]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dgc.ca/assets/Uploads/BritishColumbia/AvailsProductionLists/Documents/Production-List.pdf|title=DGC BC Production List|work=[[Directors Guild of Canada]]|date=October 9, 2020|access-date=February 11, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009190110/https://www.dgc.ca/assets/Uploads/BritishColumbia/AvailsProductionLists/Documents/Production-List.pdf|archive-date=October 9, 2020}}</ref> The Heritage Hangar at the [[Boundary Bay Airport]] in Delta has been used as a film location in many TV series and movies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://czbb.com/film/ |title=Filming; Boundary Bay Airport; Delta BC. |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814040253/https://czbb.com/film/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sister city==
* [[Mangaluru]], [[India]] (Since 2010)<ref name="sister3">{{cite news |date=13 October 2010 |title=Mangalore, Delta in sisterly embrace |publisher=DNA |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_mangalore-delta-in-sisterly-embrace_1451843 |access-date=13 October 2010 |archive-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929003603/http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_mangalore-delta-in-sisterly-embrace_1451843 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=13 October 2010 |title=Corporations of Delta, Mangalore sign pact |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Corporations-of-Delta-Mangalore-sign-pact/article15778423.ece |access-date=1 September 2018 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307082648/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Corporations-of-Delta-Mangalore-sign-pact/article15778423.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sister2">{{cite news |date=7 April 2010 |title=Delta looks to India for twin city |publisher=DeltaOptimist |url=http://www2.canada.com/deltaoptimist/story.html?id=4ca60c5b-4430-42d1-8490-4261f26f4f02 |access-date=17 May 2010}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Twinning |url=http://www.canadaspacificgateway.in/other-sectors/twinning |access-date=17 May 2010 |publisher=British Columbia Trade and Investment Representative Office}}{{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Delta (British Columbia)|Delta}}
*{{Official website}}


{{Adjacent communities
| North = [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]]
| NE = [[New Westminster]]
| W = ''[[Strait of Georgia]]''<br />[[Tsawwassen Lands]]
| Centre = Delta<br/>{{Nobold|(surrounds [[Musqueam Indian Reserve No. 4|Musqueam 4]])}}
| E = [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]]
| South = [[Point Roberts, Washington]] {{Flagicon|US}}
| SE = ''[[Boundary Bay]]''}}
{{Subdivisions of British Columbia|district=yes}}
{{Greater Vancouver}}
{{DeltaBCNeighbourhoods}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Delta, British Columbia| ]]
[[Category:Cities in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Populated places in Greater Vancouver]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Fraser River]]