Is Delphos Safe, Pros and cons of living in Delphos
Delphos, Ohio, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and accessible amenities, making it a noteworthy option for those considering a move to the Buckeye State. Nestled within Allen County, this city provides a quieter pace of life while remaining within reach of larger urban centers. Its community-focused atmosphere and affordability are significant draws for families and individuals alike.
The city’s location in Northwest Ohio provides a balance between rural tranquility and convenient access to regional hubs. Delphos is a community where residents often own their homes, contributing to a stable and invested population. The conservative leaning of its residents further shapes the town’s social fabric, emphasizing traditional values and community engagement.
Is it Safe to Live in Delphos?
Delphos is recognized for its safety, with crime rates significantly lower than national averages. The city boasts a crime rate that is 67% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (AreaVibes). This low crime rate contributes to a sense of security for its inhabitants, making it an appealing place to settle down.
Violent crime in Delphos is particularly low, with a rate of only 85 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is remarkably low compared to national figures (AreaVibes). Property crime rates are also substantially lower than the national average, further enhancing Delphos’s reputation as a secure community. The overall crime rate in Delphos is 710 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 2,119 (AreaVibes). This makes the chance of becoming a victim of crime in Delphos approximately 1 in 141 (AreaVibes).
Allen County, which encompasses Delphos, has a higher crime rate than both the state and U.S. averages, recording 6,754 crimes per 100,000 people in 2022 (Map AI). However, within Delphos itself, the crime rate is considerably lower, with residents generally considering the west part of the city to be the safest (Map AI). Your chance of being a victim of crime in Delphos varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 33 in central areas to 1 in 71 in the west (Map AI).
Housing Costs and Availability
Home Values
The housing market in Delphos presents a significant draw for potential residents due to its affordability. The median home value in Delphos is approximately $112,100, which is considerably lower than the national average of $281,900 (DoorProfit). This affordability extends to the median listing price, which is $175,500 in Delphos (Realtor.com®).
This trend of lower home values is consistent across various sources. For instance, Zillow indicates an average home value of $195,169 as of March 2026, showing a 5.1% increase over the past year (Zillow). BestNeighborhood.org notes median house prices in Delphos at $148,803, also significantly less than the U.S. median of $393,134 (BestNeighborhood.org).
Rental Market
Information on the rental market in Delphos is somewhat limited, with some sources indicating “N/A” for median rent (DoorProfit). However, other data suggests that housing costs in Delphos are around $824 per month for median housing costs, with a median gross rent of $812 per month for tenants (Point2Homes). This indicates that while specific rental data may vary, the overall cost of housing, including rent, remains relatively accessible.
Homeownership
Delphos boasts a homeownership rate of 72.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2% (Point2Homes). This statistic suggests a community where residents are invested in their properties and are more likely to be long-term inhabitants. Allen County, where Delphos is located, also has a strong homeownership rate of 67.7% (Data USA).
Cost of Living
Overall Affordability
Delphos stands out for its affordability, with a cost of living that is notably lower than the national average. Living costs in Delphos are 14% lower than the U.S. national average (Salary.com). This affordability is driven by several factors, including lower housing and transportation expenses.
The cost of living in Delphos is also lower than the state average in some respects, though specific comparisons can vary. For example, Salary.com indicates that living costs are 180% higher than Ohio’s state average, which may reflect a specific methodology or data set (Salary.com). However, other sources emphasize Delphos’s overall low cost of living, with Payscale noting that Delphos’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average (Payscale).
Key Expense Categories
Housing expenses in Delphos are significantly lower than the national average, reported to be 18% lower (Payscale). Utility prices are also slightly lower than the national average, by 2% (Payscale). Transportation costs, including gas prices and bus fares, are approximately 4% lower than the national average (Payscale).
Grocery prices in Delphos are about the same as the national average (Payscale). Healthcare costs, however, are slightly higher than the national average, by about 5% (Payscale). These figures paint a picture of a city where essential living costs, particularly housing, are quite manageable.
Job Market and Economy
Employment and Unemployment
The unemployment rate in Allen County, as of February 2026, was 4.9% (Data Commons). In December 2025, Allen County’s unemployment rate increased to 4.5%, with a slight decrease in the number of employed individuals (LimaOhio.com). Delphos specifically has an unemployment rate of 3.7% (Niche).
The labor force in Allen County has seen some fluctuations, with the rate increasing from 4.4% in December 2024 to 4.5% in December 2025. Despite this, the labor force was larger than the previous year (LimaOhio.com). OhioMeansJobs.com reported 1,673 job openings within a 20-mile radius of Lima, indicating a healthy job market in the broader region (LimaOhio.com).
Major Employers
While specific major employers for Delphos are not detailed in the provided search results, Allen County is home to significant industries. The county’s economy is supported by various sectors, and job availability is present within a 20-mile radius of Lima, which serves as a regional hub (LimaOhio.com).
The City of Delphos Ohio itself is an employer, with an average annual salary reported around $80,133 as of April 2026 (ZipRecruiter). Salaries at the City of Delphos Ohio typically range from $70,074 to $91,686 annually, reflecting various roles and experience levels (ZipRecruiter).
Salaries and Income
The median household income in Delphos was $61,037 in 2024, showing a slight increase from the previous year (Data USA). The average annual household income in Delphos was reported as $70,458 in 2024 (Point2Homes). This median income is lower than the national average, which was around $74,580 (DoorProfit).
However, the lower cost of living in Delphos helps to offset the difference in median income. For example, a single person’s monthly living expenses are estimated at $2,128, and for a family of four, it is $4,687 (Salary.com). These figures suggest that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the overall financial well-being can be maintained due to lower expenses.
Climate
Temperatures
Delphos experiences a climate typical of the Midwest, with distinct seasons. The average high temperature is around 61°F, with an average low of 42°F (Livability.com). These temperatures reflect a moderate climate with warm summers and cool winters.
Specific temperature data for Delphos is not extensively detailed in the provided search results. However, its location in Northwest Ohio suggests it will experience seasonal variations common to the region. The average temperatures in Allen County, where Delphos is located, are generally in line with these seasonal expectations.
Precipitation
The average annual rainfall in Delphos is approximately 37 inches (Livability.com). This amount of rainfall is typical for the region and supports the local climate and vegetation.
Average annual snowfall in Delphos is around 19 inches (Livability.com). This suggests that Delphos experiences moderate winter weather with a noticeable amount of snow, contributing to the seasonal changes characteristic of the area.
Education
School Ratings
Delphos is noted for having above-average public schools (Niche). The schools in Delphos, OH, average a School Grade of A+ with 75% actual proficiency compared to a 59% projected proficiency (BestNeighborhood.org). This indicates a strong educational environment for students in the area.
Allen County, in which Delphos is situated, also ranks well for its public schools, being #12 out of 88 counties in Ohio for this category (Niche). This suggests a broader commitment to quality education within the county, benefiting residents of Delphos.
Educational Attainment
In Delphos, approximately 49.8% of the population has attended high school, while 19.8% have pursued college studies (Point2Homes). Within Allen County, about 8,513 individuals hold bachelor’s degrees, and 3,662 hold advanced degrees (Huff Realty).
The median age in Delphos is 40.2 years (Delphos – Data Commons). For Allen County, the median age is 39.7 years (Allen County, OH Population 2026). This demographic profile suggests a community with a mix of age groups, including those who are actively engaged in or have completed their education.
Demographics
Population
Delphos has a population of approximately 7,143 residents (Data USA). The population has seen a slight decrease, with a projected population of 7,053 in 2026 and a decrease of 0.87% since the 2020 census (Delphos, Ohio Population 2026). The city is located in Allen County, Ohio.
Allen County’s population is estimated at 100,810 in 2026, showing a slight decline from the previous year (Allen County, OH Population 2026). The county’s population has decreased by 5.2% since 2010 (Allen County, OH Population 2026). This indicates a stable, albeit slightly declining, population trend for both the city and the county.
Racial and Ethnic Makeup
The racial composition of Delphos is predominantly White, with 88% of residents identifying as White (Niche). Other racial groups include Two or more races (6%), Hispanic (3%), and African American (3%) (Niche). This demographic makeup is consistent across different data sources, with Data USA reporting 23.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents in Delphos compared to other races.
In Allen County, the racial composition is also predominantly White, at 79.98%, followed by Black or African American at 9.61%, and Two or more races at 7.7% (Allen County, OH Population 2026). Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.63% of the county’s population (Data USA).
Citizenship and Foreign-Born Population
In Delphos, 98.7% of residents are U.S. citizens, a figure that is higher than the national average of 93.2% (Data USA). As of 2024, 1.43% of Delphos residents were born outside the country (102 people) (Data USA).
Allen County also shows a high rate of U.S. citizenship, at 98.9% as of 2024, which is higher than the national average (Data USA). The foreign-born population in Allen County is approximately 2.36% (2.39k people) (Data USA).