Established in 1870 as a Southern Pacific railhead, developed as a farming town, and incorporated in 1915, Delano is an agricultural market center for south Kern and Tulare County farming interests. With easy access to markets, including overnight truck delivery to all California markets, Southern Pacific Railroad and Santa Fe rail facilities, Delano benefits from its location in the center of a two-county agribusiness area.

Delano is the second largest incorporated community in the county.