It has an area of 39.48 square kilometres (15.24 sq mi) and, in the 2020 census, reported a population of 24,127.

By decree, on November 5, 1932, the municipality adopted its current name, in honor of the author Rafael Delgado, a native of nearby Córdoba.

[2] The municipality is bordered to the north by Orizaba and Ixmatlahuacan, to the east by Ixtaczoquitlán, to the south by San Andrés Tenejapan, Tlilapan and Nogales, and to the west by Río Blanco.

The weather in Rafael Delgado is cold and wet all year, with rains in summer and autumn.

Every June, a celebration is held in honor of San Juan de la Concepción, patron of the town, and in December the town holds festivities in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe.