Lying south of the Fraser River and north of the United States border, Delta is a crossroads for road, rail and water transportation systems linking Greater Vancouver with its Canadian hinterland as well as the United States and overseas destinations. Delta's early economic development was largely tied to agriculture and fishing, but the area has become increasingly attractive to industry in search of decentralized locations and lower land costs. This kind of development has tended to concentrate along the municipality's northern Fraser River boundary and is centred on the well established Tilbury and Annacis industrial estates. Agriculture still accounts for nearly half the land use in the area and the Municipality has established policies designed to preserve and enhance the viability of agricultural land.
Commercial centres tend to be relatively small.
The designation of Business Improvement Areas in Ladner and Tsawwassen will assist the existing businesses. Major renovations and expansion to shopping malls in North Delta have reflected the growth in the area. Delta's economic and population growth has been consistent with regional projections for the past two decades. The 1991 census population was about 89,400. Some growth is expected in North Delta as a result of completion of the Alex Fraser Bridge and the development of a regional town centre in Whalley, in Surrey.