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Gilbert, Arizona

Coordinates: 33°21′10″N 111°47′20″W / 33.35278°N 111.78889°W / 33.35278; -111.78889
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Gilbert, Arizona
Town
Gilbert's Heritage Court as viewed from Gilbert Road
Gilbert's Heritage Court as viewed from Gilbert Road
Flag of Gilbert, Arizona
Flag
Motto(s): 
"Gilbert: Clean, Safe, Vibrant"
Location in Maricopa County, Arizona
Location in Maricopa County, Arizona
Coordinates: 33°21′10″N 111°47′20″W / 33.35278°N 111.78889°W / 33.35278; -111.78889
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
CountyMaricopa
Founded1891
IncorporatedJuly 6, 1920
Named forRobert Gilbert
Government
 • MayorBrigette Peterson
Area
[1]
 • Total
68.86 sq mi (178.35 km2)
 • Land68.66 sq mi (177.84 km2)
 • Water0.20 sq mi (0.53 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,237 ft (377 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total
267,918
 • Estimate 
(2022)[4]
275,346
 • RankUS: 79th
AZ: 5th
 • Density4,010/sq mi (1,549/km2)
Time zoneUTC–7 (Mountain (MST) (no DST))
ZIP Codes
85233, 85234, 85295, 85296, 85297, 85298, 85299
Area code480
FIPS code04-27400
GNIS feature ID0005032[2]
Sales tax7.8%[5]
Websitegilbertaz.gov

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-largest municipality in Arizona. Nearly a third of Gilbert residents are under the age of 18.[6] As Gilbert approaches buildout, the population is expected to reach 330,000.[7]

Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert was once known as the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World".[8] It has since transformed into an economically diverse suburban community, characterized by a strong economy, competitive schools, and safe neighborhoods. Gilbert is home to many companies with focuses on advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, biotechnology, clean technology, and renewable energy. In 2023, it was declared one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation.[9]

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.[10]

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"[11] from 1911 until the late 1920s.

In 2019, the town ranked highly on three national surveys related to safety, livability and family life; it was named the fourth-safest (of 182 communities), 12th-most livable town, and seventh-best place to raise a family in the U.S.[12]

Geography

[edit]

Gilbert is in the southeastern Phoenix metropolitan area. It is south of Mesa, northeast of Chandler, and northwest of Queen Creek.[13]

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[14]
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[15]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920865—
1930791−8.6%
19408375.8%
19501,11433.1%
19601,83364.5%
19701,9717.5%
19805,717190.1%
199029,188410.5%
2000109,697275.8%
2010208,45390.0%
2020267,91828.5%
2024 (est.)275,346[4]2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
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.[17] There were 93,230 housing units.

Gilbert town, Arizona – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop. 2000[18] Pop. 2010[19] Pop. 2020[20] % 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%.[21]
  • 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)
  • Ranked by CNN's Money magazine in 2008 as one of the best places to live in the United States[citation needed]
  • One of the top 25 safest cities in the United States[22]
  • 34.5% of Gilbert residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.[23]
  • Highest household median income in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with population 50,000+ (U.S. Census Bureau – 2005)

According to Nielsen's Claritas demographics,[23] in 2009 the estimated racial makeup of the town was:

2009 estimated population data by gender/age:[23]

  • 31.37 average age male/female. By 2019, the average age was reported as 33.6.[12]
  • 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:[23]

  • 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:[23]

  • 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.[12]
  • 10.5% master's degree or higher

2009 estimated household by household income:[23]

  • $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.[12]
  • $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.[24][25]

Economy

[edit]
Town Hall building at the Civic Center
Gilbert Historical Museum
A waterfront in the Val Vista Lakes community in Gilbert
The Liberty Market with the Gilbert water tower (in background), pictured in March 2009
SanTan Village in September 2009

Largest employers

[edit]

According to its 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[26] 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,[27] 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[28] that features an eight-foot steel girder beam[29] 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.[30]

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,[31] 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.[32]

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.[33]

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).[34]  

Government

[edit]

FinanceBuzz named Gilbert the "2nd Fastest-Rising City in the United States" in 2023.[35] In 2022, Ranking Arizona recognized Gilbert as the "#1 Place to Live in Arizona"[36] and the 2nd-Safest Big City in America, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program's 2022 report.

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.[37] Unlike most of its neighboring communities, Gilbert is theoretically vulnerable to annexation.[38]

The town is part of Arizona's 5th congressional district, which is represented by Republican and Gilbert resident Andy Biggs.[39] The mayor is Brigette Peterson.[40]

Mayors of Gilbert

[edit]

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.[44]

Infrastructure

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]
Main article: Metropolitan Phoenix Freeways

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.[45]

In 2018 Waymo started testing in a small portion of Gilbert's northwest.[46]

Health care

[edit]

Notable people

[edit]

Sister cities

[edit]

Gilbert has two sister cities:[64]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gilbert, Arizona
  3. ^ a b "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2022". United States Census Bureau. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "Gilbert (AZ) sales tax rate". Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. ^ a b ESRI 2023
  7. ^ "Gilbert, Arizona Demographics". May 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "Gilbert, Arizona - About Us". May 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "The Fastest-Growing and Declining Cities Across the U.S. [2023]". FinanceBuzz. October 25, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  10. ^ "Gilbert Arizona Community's roots date to 1920". Church News. November 19, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  11. ^ "Gilbert History". Ci.gilbert.az.us. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d 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.
  13. ^ Chandler, AZ, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1952 (1982 rev.)
  14. ^ "Average Weather for Gilbert, AZ – Temperature and Precipitation". Weather.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  15. ^ "Gilbert, Arizona, USA – Monthly weather forecast and Climate data". Weather Atlas. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  16. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  18. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Gilbert town, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ Cohen, Darryl (March 2015). "Population Trends in Incorporated Places: 2000 to 2013" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "FBI Crime Statistics". Fbi.gov. March 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  23. ^ a b c d e f Nielsen Claritas Archived June 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ Gilbert Arizona Temple, ldschurchtemples.com. Retrieved April 27, 2008.
  26. ^ "City of Gilbert 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report" (PDF). May 13, 2023. p. 141. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  27. ^ Discover Gilbert
  28. ^ "Town Hall | Town of Gilbert, Arizona". www.gilbertaz.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  29. ^ Atridim, Captain Rick (September 25, 2011), 9-11 Memorial in Gilbert Arizona, retrieved February 28, 2020
  30. ^ "Gilbert Digital Newsroom | Town of Gilbert, Arizona". www.gilbertaz.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  31. ^ 9/11 Memorial – Gilbert, Arizona, archived from the original on November 17, 2021, retrieved February 28, 2020
  32. ^ 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)
  33. ^ National Register of Historic Places Maricopa County, Arizona
  34. ^ "Gilbert Parks and Recreation". May 13, 2023.
  35. ^ "The Fastest-Growing and Declining Cities Across the U.S. [2023]". FinanceBuzz. October 25, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  36. ^ Arizona, Ranking (October 22, 2022). "Ranking Arizona: Top 10 best places to live for 2022". AZ Big Media. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  37. ^ "Arizona Revised Statutes §9-276. Additional powers of cities". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  38. ^ "Arizona Revised Statutes §9–122. Unification of a city and a town". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
  39. ^ "Official biography, Congressman Andy Biggs". Congressman Andy Biggs. January 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  40. ^ "Mayor & Town Council | Town of Gilbert, Arizona". www.gilbertaz.gov. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ Steinbach, Alison (August 18, 2020). "Gilbert Town Council promotes Scott Anderson to interim mayor, taps newly elected Kathy Tilque to council". AZCentral.
  44. ^ Staff (April 1, 2020). "Park University to expand campus in downtown Gilbert". KTAR News. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  45. ^ "Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map". Governing. December 9, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  46. ^ "Waymo Expanding Chandler Operations Ahead of Launch of Arizona Public Ride Service". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  47. ^ "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.
  48. ^ "OSU Time And Change: Dave Burba". ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  49. ^ 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.
  50. ^ "NFL Players". National Football League. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  51. ^ "NFL Players". National Football League. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  52. ^ "Los Angeles Galaxy: Roster: Player Bio". La.galaxy.mlsnet.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  53. ^ 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.
  54. ^ TucsonSentinel.com; Prezelski, Ted. "Arizonan Gordon scores one for the Quakes | Soccer notes". TucsonSentinel.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  55. ^ Thomas, Mike (ed.). "Whatever Happened To: Shea Hillenbrand". Wicked Local. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  56. ^ "Gilbert woman vies for Miss USA". The Arizona Republic. April 11, 2008. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  57. ^ "Highly Sociable webcast". June 21, 2020.
  58. ^ 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.
  59. ^ "The Valley's priciest home sales". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  60. ^ "Astronaut Bio: Carlos I. Noriega (1/2008)". Jsc.nasa.gov. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  61. ^ "Phil Ortega Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  62. ^ "Gilbert's Lindsey Stirling No. 2 on Billboard chart". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 8, 2004.
  63. ^ "Lifehouse is 'All In:' Pop band's Gilbert-born drummer still sharing 'moments' with fans". entertainermag.com – Entertainer Magazine. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  64. ^ "Gilbert Sister Cities - Promoting Cultural Understanding". GilbertSisterCities.org. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
[edit]
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