The City of Delta is a Canadian district municipality,* a part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District of the Province of British Columbia on the peninsula surrounded by the Fraser River on the north, the Strait of Georgia on the west, Boundary Bay on the south, and the City of Surrey on the east. 120 Street from Boundary Bay north to 96 Avenue and from there west to the river forms the border between Delta and Surrey. Delta derives its name from the Fraser River Delta formed by silt deposited over millennia and crossed by several channels.
In the 2011 Census, Delta’s population was 99,863, up 3.3 percent from 2006. About 28 percent of residents are what Canadians call “visible minorities,” mainly Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Korean Asians. Diversity in the schools is not a problem. The Tsawwasen Indian Reserve adjacent to the causeway to the ferry terminal from points on the Vancouver Island archipelago across the Strait of Georgia, home to 1,400 aborigines, is bounded on the south by the small American portion of the peninsula below the 49th Parallel and on the north by a channel of the river delta.
Delta Communities
Delta comprises three distinct, geographically separate communities:
North Delta in the northeast houses over half Delta’s population. It is a mostly suburban area situated between Surrey and the Burns Bog.
Ladner started as a 19th-century fishing village in northwest Delta and expanded into a suburb. Historic Ladner is an active fishing village with restored 19th-century homes behind dykes that hold back the water of the raging river.
Tsawwassen on the ocean in southwest Delta is also suburban. Luxurious homes lining Tsawwassen’s coast reflect the economic growth of that community.
Historical Overview
Thomas and William Ladner in 1868 made a good investment in farming the area named after them. Farming and fishing sustained later settlers as the community grew. Delta incorporated in 1879 with the Village of Ladner as its administrative centre. Geography kept Delta relatively isolated until opening of the George Massey Tunnel in 1959 and redirection of BC Highway 99 in 1962 through Ladner to the tunnel linked Delta to the Richmond and Vancouver municipalities north of the river, ended the isolation, and drove an enormous population growth that brought many new schools and educational facilities to the district over the next 20 years.
The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority operates a public transit bus system. SkyTrain rail stations in Surrey reach within a few kilometres of North Delta. Delta connects first to New Westminster and then to Richmond by BC Highway 91 over the massive Alex Fraser Bridge opened in 1986 and to Surrey, Langley, and all points east on BC Highway 10. Most car and truck traffic from Vancouver to the USA goes through Delta via Highway 99. Most traffic to Vancouver Island uses the BC Ferries service facilities in the Tsawwassen part of Delta.
Delta’s Boundary Bay Airport, Canada’s fifth busiest in aircraft movements is primarily for general aviation, commercial charters, and flying instruction. Vancouver International Airport, 15 miles to the northwest on Sea Island between Vancouver and Richmond, served in 2013 almost 18,000,000 passengers on daily flights to and from airports in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Economy and Sustainability
Agriculture remains vital to Delta’s economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Delta farms and food production facilities produce fruits and berries, herbs, honey, summer and winter vegetables, and meats. Farmers Markets are prominent. The Ladner Village Market is Western Canada’s largest. Delta encourages residents to grow their own vegetables. Several local nonprofit organizations make community garden plots available to residents with no land of their own.
The Fraser Delta area is a bountiful wildlife habitat that makes tourism a good investment as another major part of the economy. Burns Bog, the largest peat bog on the North American west coast, covers about 30 square miles in the east central part of the peninsula west of North Delta. The Burns Bog Conservation Society arranges tours through its trails and waterways. Over 200 migratory bird species stop at Burns Bog. The Delta Nature Reserve in the northeastern corner of Burns Bog has three loops of boardwalks and trails. Meanwhile, out on the ocean, many other tourists enjoy the pastime of whale-watching.
* District municipalities are those greater than eight square kilometers (five square miles) in area with a population density of fewer than 500 per square kilometer (800/square mile). At 141 square miles, Delta has the largest municipal land area in the district; its neighbour to the east, Surrey, is second largest at 122.
15 Acres park-like huge lot with 14432 sqft house,including private tennis courts, swimming pool and fabulous garden! Custom design by Loy Leyland, this exceptional and extraordinary dream house offers 7 spacious bright ensuite. It features a separate entry with kitchen and two bedrooms. Modern amenities including indoor pool (36'x18'), swirl hot tub, steam room, sauna, gym, wine cellar, wet bar. Private professional landscaped beautiful garden with waterfalls, tennis court, organic vegetable & fruits garden, 3 garages & plenty of visitor parking spaces. A pleasure to show!More details
COUNTRY ESTATE in Richmond's Southlands. Country living with city conveniences, Once in a lifetime opportunity to own this Luxury Home with 27 Acres in prime serene settings sought-after area. This custom-built home features 6 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms, and over 7500 sqft of luxury living. Exceptional workmanship, design & craftsmanship throughout. Entertain your guests in living, dining, family and media rooms. Gourmet kitchen with a center island and enjoy the views of the outdoor pool & private and manicured backyard for summer parties. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout on main, radiant heating, Alarm HRV, Games room above plus caretaker suite with separate entrance, 1400 sqft 4 car garages, walking distance to the Dyke, Farm Views.More details
LOCATION!LOCATION!!An incredibly desirable location: Delta. A grand frontage of 1118 ft means no problems maneuvering all your large farm vehicles into this prime farmland of 54.84 acres, has 3 legal addresses, with 3 existing dwellings currently on 2 addresses. Come and enjoy the income potential from a duplex and registered mobile home, or live in one of the dwellings and rent out the other 2 dwellings, while you build your dream home. Easy access to Hwy 99, Delta Port, Ferries, and Vancouver. Shopping/amenities are only 10 minutes away with your choice of Ladner or Delta shops at your disposal. Property is in central location with surrounding restrains, gas stations, and transportation routes. A great place with a great view of the mountains and an ideal spot to see the sunsets/rises!More details
A rare opportunity to own a piece of 34.8 acre farmland on No. 3 Road and all the way to Gilbert Road! Build your dream home with beautiful green space or keep as an investment. A piece of productive farmland nestled between No. 3 Road and Gilbert just south of Steveston Hwy. Please do not disturb tenant. GREAT LOCATION RIGHT ON RICHMOND NO 3 ROAD. Virtual Tour https://youtu.be/9w_kYBKAKwgMore details
View property of Water, Mountain, and green field. One of kind in this unique location. Modern & sophisticated estate featuring a 8000 sf mansion on 18.76 ACRES prime water & mountain view Farmland! 3 acres of resort-like spa grounds, 1200sf pool, cabana, outdoor kitchen, heated terraces, state of art gym, fitness studio and 8+ car garage. Second to none in kitchens & bathrooms, theatre room, wine room, 2 full guest suites! Lutron lighting, slider oversize windows, imported marble. V-Net security, 12+ LCD monitors. View this tremendous jaw-dropping estate on acreage only 20 minutes from city.More details
WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY! 20 ACRE FARM/ESTATE in very strategic location! 5,500 sq.ft. home, new paint, new hot water radiant system, outbuildings, OPERATIONAL BLUEBERRY FARM! Many opportunities! Has been used as a fully operation nursery! Close distance to Tilbury Industrial Park, new South Fraser Perimeter Road, Highway 99! VERY QUIET LOCATION! Perfect farm setting! Home has room your extended family. Don't miss this one!More details
24.74 ACRE BLUEBERRY FARM WITH A HOME AND BARN. The home is 3,330 SQ/FT, with 5 Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms, Built in 2006 and fully renovated in 2021. Also included is a large 4,200 SQ/FT Barn. 21 Acres of Blueberries, Planted with 7 Acres in Duke, 11 Acres of Bluecrop, and 3 Acres of Legacy variety. All Farm Equipment included. Minutes to all amenities such as Tsawwassen Mill Mall, Spring Golf Course and BC Ferries. Easy access to Highway #17, Deltaport Way, and Ladner Trunk Road.More details
12 acre flat farmland, located south of Steveston Hwy and Gilbert Road in the city of Richmond. Currently renting to a farmer tenant. Perfect for growing vegetables, blueberries or nurseries. New renovation in this rancher of 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms. New windows, new kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring & painting....etc. Move in condition. Enjoy your country life.. or build your dream mansion or hold it for the future. Pleasure to show.More details
RARE almost square 17.34 acre parcel with 823 ft of road frontage and roughed in second driveway entrance offers an English style country home with recent new roof, exterior paint & carpets, 5 stall barn, hay field and a generous pasture area which has been an equestrian facility for decades. The property is located 5 minutes from Ladner or Tsawwassen, Tsawwassen Mills Mail, BC Ferries, TFN Industrial Park and 30 minutes to Vancouver. This property is part of the gateway to the port and offers amazing future investment potential siding onto 2 BC Rail properties beside the railway. Call L/S for further information.More details
First time on the market! This home has been beautifully maintained by it's original owner. Pride of ownership is immaculate. This property is the Ladner dream with the main bedroom on the main floor. The layout of this home is incredibly well thought out and gives you all the space you need with 6 beds and 5 baths. Don't forget the breathtaking land scaping, drive way and three car garage! Sitting on 11.3 acres it goes right through to 40th where you can find a very large (over 30,000 sq ft!) storage shed. Get the privacy you're looking for while still being minutes from town.More details