Living in Delhi CA 🏘 | What to Know Before Moving to Delhi

Living in Delhi CA is a great deal! Delhi was largely uninhabited until 1912, when a post office was built in the community. The community slowly expanded, with many World War I veterans moving to Delhi to work in agriculture. By 1960, the total population in Delhi was over 1,000 people. However, the community didn't expand significantly until the 1990s, when it became known as a quiet and family-friendly town.

Delhi is a Census-designated place, meaning it is an unincorporated community without a municipal government. The Census Bureau tracks the community, providing statistics like the median household income, population density, and average household size. Is Delhi a good place to live? Yes, Delhi is a great place to live, offering a quaint and quiet alternative to city hubbub.

What is Delhi known for? Delhi is still known today for its family-friendly atmosphere and convenient access to agriculture and outdoor destinations. According to BBC News, Delhi gets its name from the Delhi Highline Canal. The town is pronounced, "Dell-high."

Moving to Delhi can give you and your family access to a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place to live. But before you start living in Delhi CA, you should learn more about this special California community. Here's what to know about living in Delhi CA.

Where Is Delhi?

Where is Delhi, and what county is Delhi CA in? Delhi is in Merced County, inside the Merced metropolitan area. It is 21.1 miles from Delhi to Merced, and it is 20.5 miles from Delhi to Modesto, so Delhi is a suburb of both Merced and Modesto. It borders Livingston, Hilmar, Turlock, and Ballico.

Despite being close to major cities, Delhi is in a largely undeveloped area. Large portions of the Delhi CDP are undeveloped, particularly in the eastern portions of the community. The western part of the community is more developed, though it's predominantly residential with only a few businesses and attractions. Delhi does not include or is near any notable geographical features.

Merced County Transit provides public transportation services for all residents living in Delhi CA. The Turlock Commuter bus route stops in Delhi and connects the CDP to Merced and Turlock. Merced County Transit also offers senior and mobility-challenged paratransit services, so seniors moving to Delhi can use paratransit services. There are no train services in Delhi. California State Route 99 runs through the center of Delhi and connects it to Livingston and Turlock, making moving to Delhi easy.

Delhi Population and Demographics

What is the population of Delhi? According to the US Census, the Delhi population in 2023 was 10,525, down by 2.1% since 2010. Despite the recent decline, the community has more than tripled its population since 1990. It's the second-largest unincorporated community in Merced County, behind Winton. Delhi has a population density of 2,998.2 people living in Delhi CA per square mile, nearly 20 times higher than the Merced County density.

Notable people living in Delhi CA, and the surrounding area include Dot-Marie Jones, Ann Getty, and Pat Suzuki. Delhi demographics include:

• 50.3% male, 49.7% female
• Median age of residents living in Delhi CA: 31.9
• Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Delhi CA: 79.7% Hispanic or Latino, 27.6% White (13.9% non-Hispanic), 19.0% two or more races, 3.6% Asian, 2.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Median household income of residents living in Delhi CA: $66,506 (roughly two-thirds of the California median)
• Educational attainment of people living in Delhi CA: 63.8% of residents living in Delhi CA over the age of 25 have graduated from high school, 14.1% have a bachelor's degree
• Foreign-born population of residents living in Delhi CA: 37.7%

Delhi is a relatively young community. 29% of residents living in Delhi CA are under the age of 18, roughly 1.3 times higher than the California median. The age group between 10 and 19 years of age is the largest age group in Delhi, with 1,996 residents. 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line, roughly two percentage points lower than the Merced metro area rate. 7.5% of residents live without health insurance, lower than the Merced County rate of 8.0%.

Here are the latest crime rates in Delhi, CA:

• Total Delhi crime rate: 3,677 crimes per 100,000 people living in Delhi CA (29.7% higher than the California rate, 61.2% higher than the national average)
• Violent Delhi crime rate: 659 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Delhi CA (29.7% higher than the California rate, 81.0% higher than the national average)
• Property Delhi crime rate: 3,018 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Delhi CA (29.8% higher than the California rate, 57.4% higher than the national average)

While Delhi crime rates may seem high, very few people living in Delhi CA encounter crime. Most crimes in the community are low-value property crimes, not violent crimes. The violent crime rate in Delhi is lower than the violent crime rate in Modesto and other major cities in California. The Merced County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services for residents living in Delhi CA. The office employs dozens of police officers, including three captains and seven lieutenants.

Cost of Living in Delhi

Delhi cost of living statistics can be hard to find, so you can use Modesto cost of living statistics and make a rough estimate of the cost of living in Delhi. The Modesto cost of living index compares the cost of common items in the Modesto metropolitan area to the national average. The Modesto cost of living index is 112.5, meaning items in the area cost 12.5% more than the national average.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Modesto area would need to earn $104,786 to cover their cost of living. Health care is the highest expense, at $1,587 a month and $18,804 a year. The Delhi cost of living may be somewhat high, but you can live an affordable life by using Medi-Cal and other public services for health insurance and amenities.

Delhi CA real estate is relatively affordable, though your options can be limited. According to Redfin, Delhi homes for sale have a median cost of $460,000, with an average price per square foot of $290. There are no Delhi apartments, so it can be hard to find the cost of rent in Delhi.

Typical Delhi* Living Expenses

• 1 gallon of regular milk: $4.16
• 1 pound of apples: $2.76
• 1 pound of potatoes: $1.94
• 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.60
• Average Delhi* utilities per month: $293.08
• 1 summer dress: $39.33

Source: Numbeo

*Living expenses actually for Modesto

Delhi Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Delhi

Delhi does not have any formal neighborhoods, largely because the Delhi CA real estate market is very small. In July 2025, only one home for sale was sold in Delhi. There is no popular architectural style, floor plan, or type of home in Delhi. All places in Delhi are the best places to live in Delhi.

Some Delhi homes for sale are modern and sprawling properties with four bedrooms and 1,500 square feet, and amenities like a spacious backyard with fruit trees. You can also buy smaller and older properties with two bedrooms. Prices vary, though most homes cost between $200,000 and $400,000.

Farms occasionally come on the market, including almond farms and peach orchards in southern Delhi. You can purchase a ranch-style home and the farm grounds simultaneously. Most grounds have irrigation systems already on the property, so you can start growing crops right away. Farms vary in size, though many farms in Delhi cover over 50 acres. It costs at least $1 million to buy a farm.

Delhi apartments and homes for rent occasionally come on the market, so renters should look at real estate markets located in nearby locations. Apartments and homes for rent have similar features to Delhi homes for sale.

Delhi Weather and Climate

Delhi has a Mediterranean climate with hot and sunny summers and cool, cloudy, and rainy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of Delhi weather, with an average high of 96 degrees and an average temperature in Delhi of 79 degrees. Temperatures peak in mid-July and remain warm until late September, and they decline steadily through the fall. December is the coldest month for the Delhi climate, with an average temperature of 46 degrees and an average low of 39.

Delhi receives 15.1 inches of rain on average every year. Does it snow in Delhi? No, Delhi doesn't experience snowfall on a regular basis. July and August have no rainfall on average every year, meaning the community has very low levels of humidity throughout the year. Roughly half of the days in the wintertime are overcast and mostly cloudy, while over 90% of days in July and August are clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy.

Delhi can experience extreme heat during the summertime, with temperatures rising above 105 degrees. Delhi can occasionally experience severe thunderstorms and rainstorms, which can create flooding in low-lying areas. You should check Delhi weather forecasts in the summer to prepare for extreme weather in advance.

October is the best month to visit and start moving to Delhi. It has an average temperature of 64 degrees, meaning you can wear a long-sleeved shirt without a jacket and remain comfortable. 75% of days are sunny, so you can visit outdoor locations and enjoy the nice Delhi weather.

Things to Do in Delhi

You can enjoy a range of top things to do in Delhi, including family-friendly outdoor destinations! Ask a person moving to Delhi what to do in Delhi, and they'll tell you to go shopping. Liberty Market is the best grocery store in Delhi. Delhi Western Wear and More is a top clothing store, and you can buy household goods from Dollar General and Dollar City.

Taylor Park

Taylor Park is the best kid-friendly outdoor point of interest in Delhi. It contains a large grassy field for outdoor activities, dog-walking, and picnicking.

Delhi, CA, 95315

Merced River RV Resort

Merced River RV Resort is an RV resort and campground along the Merced River. The resort has pull-through and back-in RV campsites, a playground for small children, barbecue facilities, and grounds for bird watching.

7765 Campground Road, Delhi, CA, 95315, 209-634-6056

Rancho Los Encinos

Rancho Los Encinos is an event venue located on a historic ranch. You can host any private event at the ranch, and the ranch offers custom packages with food, live music, horse rentals for photoshoots, tables, and chairs.

9669 Merced Avenue, Delhi, CA, 95315

Additional Things to Do in Delhi

• Park View Dairy
• Harmony Ranch Park
• Holy Ground Ministry Delhi

The Merced County Parks and Recreation Department protects all parks and public spaces in Delhi and other unincorporated communities of Merced County. The department also plans special events like movie screenings, track meets, and sports programs. You can use the Merced County Events website to see what events are occurring as you are living in Delhi CA.

Best Restaurants in Delhi

Merced County is well known for its restaurants that offer fresh produce and farm-to-table menu options, including almonds, apricots, and peaches. The best restaurants in Delhi can give you family-friendly experiences with delicious and fresh local produce.

Five Star Burger

Five Star Burger is the top quick service and fast restaurant in Delhi, and it's one of the most affordable restaurants in Delhi. You can order a combo meal with a double or triple cheeseburger, a soda, and a side of French fries for less than $20. You can also order milkshakes, cheesesteaks, chicken wings, and salads.

9510 Stephens Street, Delhi, CA, 95315, 209-536-2441

La Michoacana Bakery and Taco Shop

La Michoacana Bakery is a Mexican bakery and taco shop well known for its breakfast options. You can enjoy coffee, pastries, freshly baked bread, and breakfast burritos. You can also order tacos, tortas, and quesadillas with fresh ingredients.

9810 Stephens Street, Delhi, CA, 95315, 209-664-9247

Rico's Pizza

Rico's Pizza is the best pizzeria in Delhi. Rico's Pizza serves freshly made pizzas with a wide range of toppings, salads, burgers, and other classic dishes, with many items costing less than $15.

16385 Schendel Avenue, Delhi, CA, 95315, 209-634-7426

Jobs in Delhi

According to DataUSA, 4,429 people have jobs in Delhi. The job market has increased by 6.7% since 2013. The community added over 200 Delhi jobs between 2013 and 2023, though there was a decline in the job market between 2022 and 2023. Manufacturing, retail trade, and health care are the three biggest job sectors in Delhi, and each of these sectors pays over $45,000 a year. Each of these sectors has a share of at least 10% of the job market, and a person living in Delhi CA can find job opportunities in each of the sectors.

Major employers in Delhi CA include Amazon, FedEx, and the United States Postal Service (USPS). Statistics on the average salary in Delhi can be hard to find. According to the US Census, the per capita average income in Delhi is $24,906 a year. You can use Indeed to find jobs in Delhi, and you can research Merced County jobs on the county government's page.

Schools in Delhi

The Delhi Unified School District serves all students living in Delhi CA. The education district contains five schools in Delhi:

• El Capitan Elementary School, a K-6 school
• Harmony Elementary School, a K-6 school
• Schendel Elementary School, a K-6 school
• Delhi Middle School, a 7-8 school
• Delhi High School, a 9-12 school

US News ranks Harmony Elementary School as the top elementary school in Delhi. The school employs 21 full-time teachers, all of whom are certified. US News also ranks Delhi Middle School in the top 25% of California middle schools. Delhi High School is home to over a dozen extracurricular teams, including a Future Farmers of America team that's been to multiple National Events. There are no multiple high schools in Delhi.

There are no notable private schools in Delhi, colleges, or universities. The McCandless Delhi Community Library serves all residents living in Delhi CA.

Delhi Statistics and Information

• County: Merced County
• Delhi area: 3.51 square miles
• Delhi zip code: 95315
• Delhi area code: 209
• Delhi elevation: 118 feet
• Delhi time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
• Closest airport to Delhi: Sacramento International Airport (SMF), 106 miles from Delhi

Delhi Map

You can use this Delhi map to find the best stores, things to do, and restaurants in Delhi!

Start Living in Delhi CA

Living in Delhi CA can transform your life in no time! Families with young children will love the delicious restaurants and cool outdoor destinations. Retirees and seniors will enjoy the quiet and friendly community.

Now that you know about living in Delhi CA, you can start moving to Delhi. Grace Moving has the best Delhi movers, with over 30 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 209-551-7772 for a free estimate today.