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Gilbert, Arizona
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Gilbert is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Located southeast of Phoenix, Gilbert is home to 288,128 residents.[6] It is the fifth-most populous municipality in Arizona and is considered a suburb of Phoenix.[7]
Key Information
Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert was once known as the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World".[8]
History
[edit]Gilbert was established by William "Bobby" Gilbert, who provided land to the Arizona Eastern Railway in 1902 to construct a rail line between Phoenix and Florence, Arizona. Ayer's Grocery Store, Gilbert's first store, opened in 1910 and became the location of the first post office in 1912. The post office moved several times before settling on the east side of Gilbert Road in downtown, where it stands today. In 1912, many Mormons who had fled the Mormon colonies in Mexico due to the actions of Pancho Villa's forces settled in Gilbert. By 1915, they began holding church meetings at the Gilbert Elementary School. In 1918, they were organized into the Gilbert Ward.[9]
Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert was primarily a farming community fueled by the rail line and construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals. It remained an agricultural town for many years and was known as the "Hay Capital of the World"[10] from 1911 until the late 1920s.
Geography
[edit]Gilbert is in the southeastern Phoenix metropolitan area. It is south of Mesa, northeast of Chandler, and northwest of Queen Creek.[11]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of 68.86 square miles (178.35 km2), of which 68.65 square miles (177.80 km2) is land and 0.20 square miles (0.52 km2) is water.[1]
Climate
[edit]Gilbert has a subtropical, hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with dry and hot summers, and mild to warm winters, with little rainfall.
| Climate data for Gilbert, Arizona | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) |
95 (35) |
99 (37) |
106 (41) |
118 (48) |
116 (47) |
119 (48) |
115 (46) |
113 (45) |
107 (42) |
97 (36) |
86 (30) |
119 (48) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 67 (19) |
71 (22) |
77 (25) |
85 (29) |
94 (34) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
104 (40) |
99 (37) |
89 (32) |
75 (24) |
67 (19) |
87 (30) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 41 (5) |
45 (7) |
49 (9) |
54 (12) |
61 (16) |
70 (21) |
77 (25) |
76 (24) |
70 (21) |
59 (15) |
47 (8) |
40 (4) |
57 (14) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 15 (−9) |
19 (−7) |
24 (−4) |
30 (−1) |
37 (3) |
43 (6) |
54 (12) |
51 (11) |
40 (4) |
30 (−1) |
22 (−6) |
17 (−8) |
15 (−9) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.01 (26) |
1.03 (26) |
1.19 (30) |
0.33 (8.4) |
0.13 (3.3) |
0.04 (1.0) |
0.89 (23) |
1.14 (29) |
0.89 (23) |
0.81 (21) |
0.77 (20) |
0.98 (25) |
9.21 (235.7) |
| Source: The Weather Channel[12] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Gilbert | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily daylight hours | 10.0 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 14.0 | 14.5 | 14.0 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 11.5 | 10.5 | 10.0 | 12.2 |
| Source: Weather Atlas[13] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 865 | — | |
| 1930 | 791 | −8.6% | |
| 1940 | 837 | 5.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,114 | 33.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,833 | 64.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,971 | 7.5% | |
| 1980 | 5,717 | 190.1% | |
| 1990 | 29,188 | 410.5% | |
| 2000 | 109,697 | 275.8% | |
| 2010 | 208,453 | 90.0% | |
| 2020 | 267,918 | 28.5% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 288,790 | [4] | 7.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 2020 Census[3] | |||
2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 census, there were 267,918 people, 88,896 households, and 69,603 families residing in the town.[15] There were 93,230 housing units.
| Race / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop. 2000[16] | Pop. 2010[17] | Pop. 2020[18] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 87,597 | 151,930 | 178,671 | 79.85% | 72.88% | 66.69% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,515 | 6,606 | 9,601 | 2.29% | 3.17% | 3.58% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 559 | 1,394 | 1,998 | 0.51% | 0.67% | 0.75% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3,863 | 11,877 | 17,690 | 3.52% | 5.70% | 6.60% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 120 | 406 | 574 | 0.11% | 0.19% | 0.21% |
| Some other race alone (NH) | 111 | 264 | 1,211 | 0.10% | 0.13% | 0.45% |
| Mixed-race or multi-racial (NH) | 1,906 | 4,902 | 13,041 | 1.74% | 2.35% | 4.87% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13,026 | 31,074 | 45,132 | 11.87% | 14.91% | 16.85% |
| Total | 109,697 | 208,453 | 267,918 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 census
[edit]As of the 2010 census, there were 208,453 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household.
- Between 2000 and 2010, the town of Gilbert was the fastest-growing incorporated place among populations of 100,000 or more in the United States, with an increase of 90%.[19]
- Fastest growing municipality in the United States from 1990 to 2003 (U.S. Census Bureau)
- 4th fastest growing municipality in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau – 2009)
- One of the top 25 safest cities in the United States[20]
- 34.5% of Gilbert residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.[21]
- Highest household median income in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with population 50,000+ (U.S. Census Bureau – 2005)
According to Nielsen's Claritas demographics,[21] in 2009 the estimated racial makeup of the town was:
- 81.5% White
- 15.4% Hispanics or Latinos
- 3.1% Black or African American
- 0.8% Native American
- 4.7% Asian
- 0.2% Pacific Islander
- 6.0% from other races
- 3.7% from two or more races
2009 estimated population data by gender/age:[21]
- 31.37 average age male/female. By 2019, the average age was reported as 33.6.[22]
- 50.2% male
- 30.0 est. average age
- 49.8% female
- 31.8 est. average age
- 37.1% population under 21
- 33.3% population under 18
- 70.0% population over 16
- 66.8% population over 18
- 62.9% population over 21
- 5.3% population over 65
2009 estimated population age 15+ by marital status:[21]
- 20.9% never married
- 66.7% married, spouse present
- 2.2% married, spouse absent
- 2.1% widowed
- 8.1% divorced
2009 estimated population age 25+ educational attainment:[21]
- 92.3% high school/GED or higher
- 37.5% bachelor's degree or higher. A 2019 report put the rate at close to 50% for residents over the age of 25.[22]
- 10.5% master's degree or higher
2009 estimated household by household income:[21]
- $109,213 average household income
- $89,077 median household income. Median income noted as >$87,000 in a report of 2013–2017 US Census data, as compared to a state-wide median of $53,000.[22]
- $35,559 per capita Income
- 2.3% of families were below the poverty level
Religion
[edit]Various religious denominations are represented in Gilbert. The town has been known for its high population of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a fact evidenced by the building of the Gilbert Arizona Temple, which was dedicated on March 2, 2014.[23][24]
Economy
[edit]


Largest employers
[edit]According to its 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[25] Gilbert's top employers are:
| # | Employer | # of employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gilbert Public Schools | 2,918 |
| 2 | Banner Health | 2,539 |
| 3 | Town of Gilbert | 1,815 |
| 4 | Fry's Food and Drug | 1,484 |
| 5 | Higley Unified School District | 1,296 |
| 6 | Northrop Grumman | 1,152 |
| 7 | Walmart | 1,111 |
| 8 | Dignity Health | 1,052 |
| 9 | Deloitte | 835 |
| 10 | Silent Aire USA | 778 |
Arts and culture
[edit]The town's official tourism site, Discover Gilbert,[26] highlights attractions for new and returning visitors. Sightseeing opportunities include the mural-clad brick walls, the color-changing water tower, waterways art, a solo gopher, and glowing benches. Gilbert also features an established theater, historical museum, and gallery.
9/11 Memorial
[edit]Gilbert Town Hall is home to a 9/11 Memorial[27] that features an eight-foot steel girder beam[28] that held up the North Tower of the World Trade Center.[citation needed] Former Gilbert Fire Chief Collin DeWitt raised money for three years to create the memorial and bring the beam from New York City to Arizona. He drove to collect it himself along with then Assistant Fire Chief Jim Jobusch.[29]
The memorial's design angles the beam, putting it in reach of everyone. Four granite walls bear the names of those killed in the attacks. Concrete was poured in the shape of a pentagon for the memorial's foundation,[30] and is surrounded by bricks that bear the names of some of those who donated to the memorial's creation. The memorial was unveiled in a ceremony on the attacks' 10th anniversary, on September 11, 2011.[31]
Historic place
[edit]Gilbert Elementary School was built in 1913, and now houses the Gilbert Historical Museum. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[32]
Parks and recreation
[edit]The Gilbert Parks and Recreation department provides parks, recreation, and cultural programs for residents and visitors. Gilbert has over 600 acres of open space, 37 park ramadas, four public pools, a riparian area, and over 40 sports fields. Gilbert Parks and Recreation is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. It is also recognized as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).[33]
Government
[edit]Since Gilbert remains incorporated as a town, it lacks the additional powers possessed by nearby Mesa and Chandler, which are incorporated as cities. For instance, Arizona towns do not have as much power to regulate utilities and construction within their borders as cities do.[34] Unlike most of its neighboring communities, Gilbert is theoretically vulnerable to annexation.[35]
The town is part of Arizona's 5th congressional district, which is represented by Republican and Gilbert resident Andy Biggs.[36] The mayor is Brigette Peterson.[37]
Mayors of Gilbert
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Education
[edit]Most of Gilbert is zoned to schools in the Gilbert Public Schools, while other parts are zoned to districts including the Chandler Unified School District, Mesa Public Schools, and the Higley Unified School District. Also in Gilbert are charter schools such as Eduprize (the first charter school in Arizona), American Leadership Academy, and Legacy Traditional School. The town is also home to Gilbert Christian Schools, a chain of private schools. In 2018, Park University opened the Gilbert Campus Center after leasing 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m2) at the University Building in the city's Heritage District.[41]
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]Gilbert is primarily served by one area freeway—the Santan Freeway portion of Loop 202. A small section of the US 60 Superstition Freeway also skirts Gilbert's northern boundary at the Higley Road interchange (Exit 186). Several regional arterials also serve the area, including Williams Field Road, Chandler Boulevard, and Gilbert Road. The town is relatively close to Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport, in east Mesa, and is a 25-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
A park-and-ride facility is in downtown Gilbert for bus service. Although the facility borders the Union Pacific (formerly Southern Pacific) tracks and has provisions for commuter rail service, there is currently no such service. Bus service is limited in Gilbert, with some north–south routes in Mesa dead-ending at Baseline Road before entering Gilbert. Routes that serve portions of Gilbert include the 108-Elliot Road, 112-Country Club/Arizona Avenue, 136-Gilbert Road, 140-Ray Road, 156-Chandler Boulevard/Williams Field Road, 184-Power Road, and 531-Mesa/Gilbert Express, with most of these routes operating at 30-minute frequency on weekdays. Sunday service is only available on Routes 108, 112, 156, and 184. Most people get around by car or bike. Gilbert has a low proportion of households without cars. In 2015, 1.9% of Gilbert households lacked a car, and the figure was 1.7% in 2016. The national average in 2016 was 8.7%. Gilbert averaged 2.08 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.[42]
In 2018 Waymo started testing in a small portion of Gilbert's northwest.[43]
Health care
[edit]Notable people
[edit]- Jim Bechtel, professional poker player; World Champion of Poker in 1993; lives in Gilbert[46]
- Andy Biggs, U.S. representative; former Arizona state senator and state representative[47]
- Dave Burba, pitcher for late 1990s Cleveland Indians; lives in Gilbert[48]
- Tony Cascio, soccer player[49]
- Haley Cavinder, college basketball player Fresno State and Miami who grew up in Gilbert and graduated from Gilbert High School[50]
- Hanna Cavinder, college basketball player Fresno State and Miami who grew up in Gilbert and graduated from Gilbert High School[50]
- Marquis Cooper, professional linebacker; played for Highland High School[51]
- Roy Wayne Farris, "The Honky Tonk Man", retired professional wrestler, WWE Hall of Fame inductee
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, former NFL quarterback; played for Highland High School[52][53]
- Jineane Ford, Miss Arizona USA 1980, Miss USA 1980[54]
- Alan Gordon, professional soccer player; raised in Gilbert[55]
- Dan Hausel, Hall of Fame martial artist; resident of Gilbert since 2006[56]
- Shea Hillenbrand, All-Star professional baseball player and rescue farm owner[57]
- Darrin Jackson, professional baseball player, 1985–1999; TV broadcaster; lives in Gilbert[citation needed]
- Nick Johnson (born 1992), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League[58]
- Kimberly Joiner, Miss Arizona USA 2008; raised in and still lives in Gilbert[59]
- Mina Kimes, ESPN TV personality and journalist; lived in Gilbert during teenage years; attended Mesquite High School[60]
- Naomi Lang, five-time U.S. ice dance champion, 2002 Olympian[61]
- Spencer Larsen, former professional football player; raised in Gilbert; played for Highland High School[62]
- Justin Lassen, artist; lives in Gilbert; graduated from Gilbert High School in 2000[dubious – discuss]
- Lydia, band[63]
- Bengie Molina, former Major League Baseball catcher; has lived in Gilbert since 2011[64]
- Craig Morgan, Award winning sports journalist[65]
- Alex Naddour, bronze medalist at 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and in pommel horse at 2016 Summer Olympics; graduated from Highland High School[66]
- Carlos I. Noriega, NASA astronaut; retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel; lives in Gilbert[67]
- Phil Ortega, MLB pitcher, 1960–1969; born in Gilbert in 1939[68]
- Brock Purdy, NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers[69]
- MyKayla Skinner, gold medalist at 2014 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships; silver medalist on vault at the 2020 Summer Olympics[70]
- Lindsey Stirling, violinist, dancer, and performer; Mesquite High School graduate[71]
- Jalen Williams, NBA player for the Oklahoma City Thunder[72]
- Rick Woolstenhulme, drummer for band Lifehouse[73]
Sister cities
[edit]Gilbert has two sister cities:[74]
Leshan, China
Antrim and Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
References
[edit]- ^ a b "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gilbert, Arizona
- ^ a b "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2022". United States Census Bureau. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ "Gilbert (AZ) sales tax rate". Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ ESRI 2023
- ^ "Phoenix Gilbert". Niche (company). Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ "Gilbert, Arizona - About Us". May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Gilbert Arizona Community's roots date to 1920". Church News. November 19, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ "Gilbert History". Ci.gilbert.az.us. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ Chandler, AZ, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1952 (1982 rev.)
- ^ "Average Weather for Gilbert, AZ – Temperature and Precipitation". Weather.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ^ "Gilbert, Arizona, USA – Monthly weather forecast and Climate data". Weather Atlas. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Gilbert town, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Gilbert town, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Gilbert town, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ Cohen, Darryl (March 2015). "Population Trends in Incorporated Places: 2000 to 2013" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau.
- ^ "FBI Crime Statistics". Fbi.gov. March 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Nielsen Claritas Archived June 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Steinbach, Alison (December 26, 2019). "Gilbert ranks highest on safety, livability". Arizona Business Gazette. Vol. 139, no. 52. Phoenix, Arizona: Gannett. USA Today Network. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "LDS Church announces two new temples in Arizona". The Salt Lake Tribune. April 27, 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ Gilbert Arizona Temple, ldschurchtemples.com. Retrieved April 27, 2008.
- ^ "City of Gilbert 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report" (PDF). May 13, 2023. p. 141. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Discover Gilbert
- ^ "Town Hall | Town of Gilbert, Arizona". www.gilbertaz.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ Atridim, Captain Rick (September 25, 2011), 9-11 Memorial in Gilbert Arizona, retrieved February 28, 2020
- ^ "Gilbert Digital Newsroom | Town of Gilbert, Arizona". www.gilbertaz.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ 9/11 Memorial – Gilbert, Arizona, July 27, 2019, archived from the original on November 17, 2021, retrieved February 28, 2020
- ^ Aug. 9; azcentral.com, 2011 11:01 AM The Republic |. "Gilbert 9/11 memorial: Work begins on site". azcentral.com. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ National Register of Historic Places Maricopa County, Arizona
- ^ "Gilbert Parks and Recreation". May 13, 2023.
- ^ "Arizona Revised Statutes §9-276. Additional powers of cities". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ "Arizona Revised Statutes §9–122. Unification of a city and a town". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ "Official biography, Congressman Andy Biggs". Congressman Andy Biggs. January 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ "Mayor & Town Council | Town of Gilbert, Arizona". www.gilbertaz.gov. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "Mayor & Town Council". gilbertaz.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag "Mayors of Gilbert" (PDF). Gilbert Historical Museum. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Steinbach, Alison (August 18, 2020). "Gilbert Town Council promotes Scott Anderson to interim mayor, taps newly elected Kathy Tilque to council". AZCentral.
- ^ Staff (April 1, 2020). "Park University to expand campus in downtown Gilbert". KTAR News. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ "Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map". Governing. December 9, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Waymo Expanding Chandler Operations Ahead of Launch of Arizona Public Ride Service". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ "Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert | US-60 & Higley Rd".
- ^ https://eastvalleyhospital.com/ [bare URL]
- ^ "For 1993 champ Jim Bechtel, Main Event always stirs up memories of competing at Binion's". LasVegasSun.com. July 7, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601. "Andy Biggs (Arizona (AZ)), 119th Congress Profile". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "OSU Time And Change: Dave Burba". ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ^ "Tony Cascio". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Dellenger, Ross (July 1, 2021). "Behind the Scenes as the Cavinder Twins Became the Faces of Day 1 of NIL". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ "NFL Players". National Football League. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ "NFL Players". National Football League. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ "Los Angeles Galaxy: Roster: Player Bio". La.galaxy.mlsnet.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ Midey, Connie (July 3, 2011). "Former Miss USA and TV news anchor is still a farm girl at heart". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ TucsonSentinel.com; Prezelski, Ted. "Arizonan Gordon scores one for the Quakes | Soccer notes". TucsonSentinel.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Ringle, Hayley (July 17, 2006). "Karate master comes to grips with careers". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Thomas, Mike (ed.). "Whatever Happened To: Shea Hillenbrand". Wicked Local. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Obert, Richard. "Nick Johnson returning to Highland to hold basketball camp". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ "Gilbert woman vies for Miss USA". The Arizona Republic. April 11, 2008. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ "Highly Sociable webcast". June 21, 2020.
- ^ read, Marisa IngemiContributor·3 min (March 23, 2021). "Changed the Game: Despite late start in skating, Naomi Lang's Olympics bid made history". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Larsen lives a linebacker's dream". The Denver Post. October 9, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Burnsilver, Glenn (November 9, 2016). "Gilbert's Lydia to Perform with Full String Section at Mesa Arts Center". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
- ^ "The Valley's priciest home sales". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ^ "Arizona". National Sports Media Association. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ^ KTAR.com (June 20, 2018). "Arizona gymnast suspended by USA Gymnastics over sexual misconduct". KTAR.com. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ "Astronaut Bio: Carlos I. Noriega (1/2008)". Jsc.nasa.gov. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ "Phil Ortega Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ "Brock Purdy was underrated in high school too". High School On SI. September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Editor, Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Glendale Star Executive (September 4, 2021). "MyKayla Skinner misses her hometown already". The Glendale Star. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Gilbert's Lindsey Stirling No. 2 on Billboard chart". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 8, 2004.
- ^ II, Marcus Thompson (June 20, 2025). "Jalen Williams' NBA Finals breakout powered by years of hard work and conviction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ "Lifehouse is 'All In:' Pop band's Gilbert-born drummer still sharing 'moments' with fans". entertainermag.com – Entertainer Magazine. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Gilbert Sister Cities - Promoting Cultural Understanding". GilbertSisterCities.org. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
External links
[edit]Gilbert, Arizona
View on GrokipediaGilbert is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, situated in the southeastern portion of the Phoenix metropolitan area.[1] Incorporated on July 6, 1920, as a rail siding community named after landowner William Gilbert, it originated as an agricultural center renowned as the "Hay Capital of the World" for shipping alfalfa via the Arizona Eastern Railway.[1] With a 2024 population estimate of 288,790, Gilbert holds the distinction of being the most populous incorporated town in the United States.[2][3] The town has experienced explosive growth since the late 20th century, with its population more than doubling every five years from 1980 to 2000, transforming it from a small farming outpost of under 2,000 residents into a sprawling suburban enclave spanning over 68 square miles.[1][4] This expansion reflects Arizona's broader inward migration patterns, fueled by factors including abundant sunshine, proximity to employment hubs in Phoenix, and relatively low housing costs compared to coastal metros.[4] Economically, Gilbert supports a diverse base anchored in health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and educational services, bolstered by targeted development in STEM sectors like technology and aerospace within designated employment corridors.[5][6] Operating under a council-manager government, the town emphasizes business-friendly policies such as low property taxes and incentives, contributing to its recognition as a top location for economic growth among mid-sized municipalities.[6] While historically among the safest large communities—ranking as Arizona's safest city in recent assessments—crime rates rose by 9.3% in 2024, primarily in property offenses, amid population pressures.[7][8]
History
Early Settlement and Founding (1891–1920)
The initial settlement of the Gilbert area began in 1891 with homestead claims under federal land laws, which allowed settlers to acquire farms for free provided they resided on and improved the land for at least five years.[9] The John Anderson family filed the first homestead patent in the area that year, establishing a farm while living on the property, marking the onset of agricultural pioneering in the region southeast of Mesa.[10] [11] Another early claim was a cash-entry homestead by Bee Barstow Halsey, who purchased 640 acres for $800, reflecting the sparse but determined influx of farmers drawn to the fertile valley soils near the Salt River.[12] Development accelerated in 1902 when William "Bobby" Gilbert, whose family had homesteaded 160 acres in 1898, sold a right-of-way through his property to the Phoenix and Eastern Railroad Company (later the Arizona Eastern Railway), enabling a rail line from Phoenix to Florence.[13] [9] A siding was established on Gilbert's land, which became the nucleus for the emerging community named in his honor, spurring economic ties for shipping local produce like alfalfa and watermelons.[1] The line was completed to Kelvin by 1903, and a depot was constructed in 1905 north of the tracks and west of Gilbert Road.[9] Irrigation infrastructure, including the Consolidated Canal in 1904 (later extended as the Eastern Canal), supported early farming of alfalfa, cotton, and dairy operations using horse-drawn methods.[9] By the 1910s, basic community facilities emerged amid rudimentary conditions lacking paved streets, electricity, or indoor plumbing. Ayer's Grocery Store, the area's first commercial establishment, opened in 1910 and housed the inaugural post office established in 1912.[9] The completion of Roosevelt Dam in 1911 enhanced water reliability for agriculture, coinciding with the construction of a local creamery.[9] Education formalized in 1913 with the creation of the Gilbert School District and a schoolhouse at Elliot and Gilbert Roads.[9] These developments culminated in formal incorporation as the Town of Gilbert on July 6, 1920, solidifying its identity as a rural farming hub.[1]Agricultural Dominance and Hay Shipping Era (1920s–1950s)
During the 1920s, Gilbert's economy centered on agriculture, enabled by irrigation infrastructure including the Roosevelt Dam completed in 1911 and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals operational by 1904 and 1911, respectively, which provided reliable water for farming in the Salt River Valley.[1][9] Alfalfa dominated production, with fields yielding up to six harvests per year due to the region's climate and soil, supporting dairy operations and livestock feed needs.[14] The town's railroad siding, established around 1902–1903 by the Arizona Eastern Railway, facilitated bulk shipments of baled alfalfa hay, positioning Gilbert as a key exporter even after World War I, when it had supplied U.S. Army cavalry horses.[13][9] Gilbert earned the moniker "Hay Shipping Capital of the World" through the early 1920s, handling what were reported as the largest hay shipments in the United States at the time, primarily via train cars loaded at local ramps east of the depot.[15][9] This era saw mechanization replace horse-drawn equipment for farming and baling, boosting efficiency amid growing demand for export to Europe and domestic markets.[9] However, by the late 1920s, rising cotton production began to diversify output, though alfalfa hay remained a staple alongside emerging dairy and watermelon shipments.[1][15] The Great Depression of the 1930s slowed agricultural expansion in Gilbert, as in broader Arizona farming, with reduced demand and prices constraining growth despite persistent irrigation advantages.[14] Population hovered around 500 residents in 1920, reflecting a rural, farm-dependent community with limited non-agricultural employment.[16] World War II revived demand for hay and cotton, sustaining the sector through the 1940s, while dairy farming expanded to utilize surplus alfalfa.[9] By the 1950s, agriculture still underpinned the local economy, though hay shipping volumes had declined relative to earlier peaks due to cotton's ascent and mechanized transport shifts, maintaining Gilbert as a small incorporated town of under 1,000 people focused on field crops and livestock.[15][1]Suburban Expansion and Incorporation (1960s–1990s)
During the 1960s, Gilbert functioned primarily as a quiet agricultural outpost in the Phoenix metropolitan periphery, with a recorded population of 1,478 residents in 1960, reflecting limited urbanization amid ongoing reliance on farming and hay production. The town's modest size and rural character persisted, supported by irrigation canals established decades earlier, but proximity to expanding Phoenix began exerting subtle pressures for change as post-World War II migration and economic shifts drew families to the region's mild winters and job opportunities in defense and manufacturing.[13] Growth gained momentum in the 1970s, when the Town Council, recognizing the inevitability of suburban sprawl from Phoenix, pursued aggressive territorial expansion through a strip annexation of 53 square miles of unincorporated Maricopa County land, despite the population hovering below 2,000.[1] This 1974 annexation, one of the largest per capita in Arizona history at the time, preempted encirclement by neighboring municipalities and secured land for future residential and infrastructural needs, enabling Gilbert to control its developmental trajectory rather than cede it to unchecked metro encroachment.[9] The U.S. Census captured this nascent surge, showing 1,971 residents in 1970, a modest increase that belied the foundational preparations for rapid transformation.[17] By the 1980s, demographic pressures materialized as Gilbert shifted from agrarian roots to suburban bedroom community status, with population climbing to 5,717 by 1980—a 190% rise from 1970—fueled by affordable housing tracts, improved access via State Route 87, and influxes of middle-class families seeking space outside Phoenix's core congestion.[17] Farmland conversions accelerated, as declining hay viability due to synthetic feed alternatives and rising land values prompted sales for subdivisions; basic infrastructure followed, including expanded water systems from the Central Arizona Project and new arterial roads to handle commuter traffic.[13] This era marked the erosion of Gilbert's "Hay Shipping Capital" identity, with agricultural acreage yielding to single-family homes and nascent retail corridors. The 1990s cemented suburban consolidation, as the population exploded to 29,188 by 1990, reflecting compounded annual growth exceeding 20% in the prior decade driven by economic booms in semiconductors and real estate.[16] Annexation-enabled planning supported school district expansions and utility grids, though tensions emerged over preserving vestiges of rural heritage amid developer pressures; by decade's end, Gilbert's landscape featured sprawling neighborhoods like those along the annexed corridors, positioning it as a quintessential Sun Belt suburb with low-density housing and family-oriented amenities.[18] This phase underscored causal dynamics of peripheral growth: accessible land, regional job magnets, and municipal foresight in boundary expansion outpacing organic demand.Rapid Modern Growth and Economic Boom (2000–Present)
Gilbert's population expanded dramatically from 109,697 residents in the 2000 U.S. Census to 208,453 by 2010, representing a 90% increase that positioned it as the fastest-growing incorporated place in the United States among municipalities exceeding 100,000 inhabitants.[19][20] This surge continued, reaching approximately 267,000 by 2020 and an estimated 279,569 in 2025, with an average annual growth rate of about 5.88% from 2000 to 2023, driven by inbound migration seeking suburban amenities and proximity to Phoenix employment centers.[21][22] Housing availability and family-oriented infrastructure, including highly rated schools, contributed to this appeal, as new residential developments absorbed influxes without immediate supply constraints.[23] The economic boom paralleled demographic shifts, transitioning Gilbert from agricultural roots to a hub for technology, finance, and retail sectors. Major corporations such as GoDaddy, Deloitte, and Northrop Grumman established significant operations, leveraging the town's educated workforce—over 50% of adults hold bachelor's degrees—and pro-business policies including tax incentives and infrastructure investments.[24][4] Retail expansions like the SanTan Village outdoor lifestyle center, opened in phases starting around 2007, boosted local commerce and tourism, while mixed-use projects revitalized downtown areas.[25] The town's Office of Economic Development facilitated this by committing to site selection support and a $5 million fund for capacity planning, attracting innovation-driven firms amid broader Phoenix metro expansion.[26] By 2024, Gilbert's median household income exceeded $115,000, reflecting robust job growth in STEM fields, with a 14% increase in such workforce from 2010 to 2015. Projections indicate full build-out by 2030, capping population at around 330,000 and shifting focus to infill development and economic retention rather than unchecked sprawl.[5][4] This evolution underscores causal factors like regional economic spillovers from Phoenix, deliberate municipal planning, and demographic preferences for low-density, high-quality-of-life suburbs over urban cores.[27]Geography and Environment
Location, Topography, and Boundaries
Gilbert is located in Maricopa County, Arizona, in the southeastern portion of the Phoenix metropolitan area, approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix.[25] The town's geographic center is at coordinates 33°21′N 111°47′W.[28] It covers a land area of approximately 68 square miles, though official planning areas extend slightly beyond incorporated limits.[29][30] The topography of Gilbert consists of relatively flat terrain typical of the Sonoran Desert's Salt River Valley, with an average elevation of 1,237 feet (377 meters) above sea level and only minor fluctuations across the area.[29] This level landscape facilitates urban development but reflects the broader arid basin characteristics of central Arizona, lacking significant hills or watercourses within municipal bounds.[31] Gilbert's municipal boundaries adjoin those of Mesa to the north and northwest, Chandler to the west and southwest, and Queen Creek to the south and east, with portions interfacing unincorporated Maricopa County lands and active growth areas.[32][33] The town's planning boundary includes undeveloped parcels, supporting ongoing expansion while maintaining defined edges against neighboring jurisdictions.[34]Climate Characteristics
Gilbert, Arizona, exhibits a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), defined by extreme summer heat, mild winters, low humidity, and minimal precipitation concentrated in the monsoon season.[35][36] The annual average temperature hovers around 73°F (23°C), with extremes rarely falling below 33°F (1°C) or exceeding 111°F (44°C).[37] Precipitation totals approximately 9 inches (230 mm) per year, rendering the region arid and supporting sparse natural vegetation dominated by desert shrubs and cacti.[37][38] Summers, spanning May through October, feature prolonged high temperatures, with average daily highs surpassing 100°F (38°C) from June to August; July records the peak at 106°F (41°C) daytime highs and 80°F (27°C) lows.[37] Winters from November to February remain mild, with January highs averaging 67°F (19°C) and lows near 40°F (4°C), accompanied by occasional light freezes but negligible snowfall.[37] The North American Monsoon influences July through September, delivering about half the annual rainfall via intense thunderstorms, while the preceding spring and following autumn periods are notably dry, with less than 0.2 inches (5 mm) monthly on average.[37] Relative humidity typically ranges from 20% to 40%, spiking briefly during monsoon events, which fosters high evapotranspiration rates and exacerbates water scarcity.[37] Extreme weather includes frequent heat waves pushing temperatures above 110°F (43°C) for multiple consecutive days, as observed in Phoenix-area records applicable to Gilbert due to topographic similarity, and rare winter cold snaps dipping to 20°F (-7°C) or lower.[39] The climate's intensity stems from the region's position in the Sonoran Desert, where subsiding air from the subtropical high-pressure system inhibits cloud formation and precipitation outside monsoon influences.[37] Abundant sunshine exceeds 3,800 hours annually, contributing to intense solar heating and low cloud cover persisting over 80% of days.[37]Resource Management and Environmental Pressures
Gilbert's water supply draws from a diversified portfolio including surface water from the Salt River Project (33%), the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project (29%), groundwater (23%), and reclaimed wastewater (15%).[40] The town treats surface water at facilities such as the North Water Treatment Plant and Santan Vista Water Treatment Plant, while emphasizing reclaimed water reuse for 100% beneficial applications like irrigation to enhance sustainability.[41] [42] Conservation measures, integrated into operations and customer programs, include the Water Wise Gilbert initiative, which assigns customized water budgets based on landscape size to curb usage amid arid conditions.[43] [44] Rapid population growth, from approximately 5,000 residents in 1960 to over 275,000 by 2025, intensifies pressure on these resources, exacerbating vulnerabilities to drought and reduced Colorado River allocations.[45] Arizona's ongoing megadrought and climate-driven reductions in river flows have prompted rate hikes, including a 48% water increase effective April 2024, to fund infrastructure and offset supply constraints, leading to resident complaints of bills rising over $100 monthly.[46] [47] [48] Despite these challenges, town officials assert resilience through long-term planning, denying imminent shortages while preparing for climate-stressed supplies.[49] Urban expansion contributes to environmental strains beyond water, including high heat risk—classified as very high due to desert topography and pavement heat islands—and elevated flood vulnerability affecting 90% of buildings from monsoon rains on impervious surfaces.[50] Deforestation and development worsen flooding by reducing natural absorption, while air quality remains generally good (AQI often below 50) but faces minor future risks from increased poor days (AQI >100) tied to growth and wildfires.[51] [52] [53] Water quality concerns persist, with detections of arsenic, lead, hexavalent chromium, and disinfection byproducts in supplies, though levels meet federal standards per annual reports.[54] In response, Gilbert has elevated sustainability as a 2025 priority, targeting water efficiency, waste reduction, and mobility enhancements, alongside business certification programs for green practices.[55] [56] However, external assessments rank the town low in green metrics among U.S. cities, citing limited promotion of eco-lifestyles despite these efforts.[57]Demographics
Population Growth Trends
Gilbert, Arizona, has undergone exponential population growth since the 1980s, driven by its integration into the Phoenix metropolitan area and appeal as a suburban destination for families and professionals. The town's population increased from 5,717 in the 1980 Census to 29,188 in 1990, reflecting a 410% decade-over-decade surge amid early suburbanization.[58] This momentum accelerated in the 1990s, with the population reaching 109,697 by the 2000 Census, a 276% increase that positioned Gilbert as a burgeoning commuter hub.[20] The 2000s marked Gilbert's most rapid expansion phase, with the population nearly doubling to 208,453 by the 2010 Census—an 89.9% gain that made it the fastest-growing incorporated place in the United States among municipalities exceeding 100,000 residents during that decade, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.[59] Growth moderated in the subsequent decade, rising 28.5% to 267,918 in the 2020 Census, as available land diminished and housing development slowed relative to prior booms.[60] Post-2020 estimates indicate continued but decelerated expansion, with the population reaching 288,790 by July 1, 2024, a 7.8% increase from the 2020 Census base, equating to an approximate annual growth rate of 1.9%.[60] Annualized rates have trended downward from a historical average of 5.88% between 2000 and 2023, reflecting Gilbert's approach to build-out capacity, projected to be fully realized by 2030 with limited remaining developable land.[22][4]| Census Year | Population | Decade % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 5,717 | - |
| 1990 | 29,188 | 410.6% |
| 2000 | 109,697 | 276.0% |
| 2010 | 208,453 | 89.9% |
| 2020 | 267,918 | 28.5% |
Ethnic and Racial Breakdown
As of 2023 estimates derived from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Gilbert's population of approximately 275,000 residents is predominantly White, with 72.7% identifying as White alone across all ethnicities. Non-Hispanic Whites comprise 66.4% of the total, reflecting the town's suburban character in Maricopa County. Hispanics or Latinos of any race account for 17.5%, a lower proportion than the statewide average of about 32%.[5][62][63] The remaining population includes significant Asian representation at 6.6%, driven partly by professional migration to the Phoenix metropolitan area. Black or African American residents form 3.4% of the populace, while American Indian and Alaska Native individuals represent 1.0%. Smaller groups consist of those identifying as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (0.2%), some other race (4.0%), and two or more races (11.2%), the latter category showing growth due to increased multiracial self-identification in recent censuses.[64][63][21]| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage (2023 est.) |
|---|---|
| White alone | 72.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.5% |
| Asian alone | 6.6% |
| Two or more races | 11.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 3.4% |
| Some other race alone | 4.0% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native alone | 1.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander alone | 0.2% |
Socioeconomic and Household Data
As of the 2019–2023 American Community Survey estimates, the median household income in Gilbert was $121,351, exceeding the Arizona state median of $72,581 and the national median of $75,149.[65][66] Per capita income reached $49,021 in 2023, reflecting a professional workforce drawn to suburban amenities and proximity to Phoenix employment centers.[67] The area's low poverty rate of 5.1% underscores economic stability, compared to Arizona's 12.0% and the U.S. rate of 11.5%, with factors including low unemployment (around 3.5% in 2023) and family-oriented migration patterns.[65][21][68] Educational attainment contributes to these outcomes, with 94.5% of residents aged 25 and older holding at least a high school diploma or equivalent in recent estimates, and approximately 48% possessing a bachelor's degree or higher—rates surpassing state and national figures by 10–15 percentage points.[69] This profile aligns with Gilbert's appeal to educated professionals in tech, finance, and healthcare sectors.[5] Household composition emphasizes nuclear families, with an average household size of 2.91 persons and average family size of 3.39 in 2023.[65][67] Homeownership prevails at 73.2% of occupied units, facilitated by median home values around $550,000 and zoning policies favoring single-family residences, though rising costs have strained affordability for younger entrants.[65][64]| Key Socioeconomic Indicator | Value (2019–2023 ACS unless noted) | Comparison to U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $121,351 | 61% higher |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | Less than half |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.2% | 13% higher |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher (25+) | ~48% | 20% higher |

