Gilbert, Arizona Explained

Official Name:Gilbert, Arizona
Settlement Type:Town
Motto:"Gilbert: Clean, Safe, Vibrant"
Blank Emblem Type:Logo
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Arizona
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Maricopa
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Brigette Peterson
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1891
Established Title1:Incorporated
Established Date1:July 6, 1920
Named For:Robert Gilbert
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:178.35
Area Land Km2:177.84
Area Water Km2:0.53
Area Total Sq Mi:68.86
Area Land Sq Mi:68.66
Area Water Sq Mi:0.20
Population As Of:2020
Population Est:275346
Pop Est As Of:2022
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:267918
Population Density Km2:1549
Population Density Sq Mi:4010
Population Rank:US: 79th
AZ: 5th
Timezone:Mountain (MST) (no DST)
Utc Offset:–7
Elevation M:377
Elevation Ft:1237
Coordinates:33.3528°N -111.7889°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Codes
Postal Code:85233, 85234, 85295, 85296, 85297, 85298, 85299
Area Code:480
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:04-27400
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0005032
Blank2 Name:Sales tax
Blank2 Info:7.8%[3]

Gilbert is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Located southeast of Phoenix, Gilbert is home to 288,128 residents.[4] It is the fifth-largest municipality in Arizona. Nearly a third of Gilbert residents are under the age of 18.[4] As Gilbert approaches buildout, the population is expected to reach 330,000.[5]

Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert was once known as the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World".[6] 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.[7]

History

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.[8]

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

Geography

Gilbert is in the southeastern Phoenix metropolitan area. It is south of Mesa, northeast of Chandler, and northwest of Queen Creek.[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of 68.86sqmi, of which 68.65sqmi is land and 0.2sqmi is water.

Climate

Gilbert has a subtropical, hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with dry and hot summers, and mild to warm winters, with little rainfall.

Colspan=14Climate data for Gilbert
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily daylight hours10.011.012.013.014.014.514.013.512.511.510.510.012.2
Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"Source: Weather Atlas[11]

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 267,918 people, 88,896 households, and 69,603 families residing in the town.[12] There were 93,230 housing units.

Gilbert town, Arizona – Racial and ethnic composition
!Race / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)!Pop. 2000[13] !Pop. 2010[14] ![15] !% 2000!% 2010!
White alone (NH)87,597151,930style='background: #ffffe6; 178,67179.85%72.88%style='background: #ffffe6; 66.69%
Black or African American alone (NH)2,5156,606style='background: #ffffe6; 9,6012.29%3.17%style='background: #ffffe6; 3.58%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)5591,394style='background: #ffffe6; 1,9980.51%0.67%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.75%
Asian alone (NH)3,86311,877style='background: #ffffe6; 17,6903.52%5.70%style='background: #ffffe6; 6.60%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)120406style='background: #ffffe6; 5740.11%0.19%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.21%
Some other race alone (NH)111264style='background: #ffffe6; 1,2110.10%0.13%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.45%
Mixed race or multi-racial (NH)1,9064,902style='background: #ffffe6; 13,0411.74%2.35%style='background: #ffffe6; 4.87%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)13,02631,074style='background: #ffffe6; 45,13211.87%14.91%style='background: #ffffe6; 16.85%
Total109,697208,453style='background: #ffffe6; 267,918100.00%100.00%style='background: #ffffe6; 100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 208,453 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household.

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

2009 estimated population data by gender/age:

2009 estimated population age 15+ by marital status:

2009 estimated population age 25+ educational attainment:

2009 estimated household by household income:

Religion

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.[20] [21]

Economy

Largest employers

According to its 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[22] Gilbert's top employers are:

Employer
  1. of employees
1Gilbert Public Schools2,918
2Banner Health2,539
3Town of Gilbert1,815
4Fry's Food and Drug1,484
5Higley Unified School District1,296
6Northrop Grumman1,152
7Walmart1,111
8Dignity Health1,052
9Deloitte835
10Silent Aire USA 778

Arts and culture

The town's official tourism site, Discover Gilbert,[23] 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

Gilbert Town Hall is home to a 9/11 Memorial[24] that features an eight-foot steel girder beam that held up the North Tower of the World Trade Center. 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.[25]

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, 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.[26]

Historic place

Gilbert Elementary School was built in 1913, and now houses the Gilbert Historical Museum. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[27]

Parks and recreation

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).[28]  

Government

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.[29] Unlike most of its neighboring communities, Gilbert is theoretically vulnerable to annexation.[30]

The town is part of, which is represented by Republican and Gilbert resident Andy Biggs.[31] The mayor is Brigette Peterson.[32]

Mayors of Gilbert

Education

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 18000square feet at the University Building in the city's Heritage District.[36]

Infrastructure

Transportation

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.[37]

In 2018 Waymo started testing in a small portion of Gilbert's northwest.[38]

Health care

Notable people

Sister cities

Gilbert has two sister cities:[58]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files . February 23, 2024 . United States Census Bureau.
  2. Web site: Explore Census Data . February 23, 2024 . United States Census Bureau.
  3. Web site: Gilbert (AZ) sales tax rate . February 23, 2024.
  4. https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/data/data-portfolio/demographics ESRI 2023
  5. Web site: May 13, 2024 . Gilbert, Arizona Demographics .
  6. Web site: May 13, 2024 . Gilbert, Arizona - About Us .
  7. Web site: 2023-10-25 . The Fastest-Growing and Declining Cities Across the U.S. [2023] ]. 2024-05-13 . FinanceBuzz . en.
  8. News: November 19, 2010 . Gilbert Arizona Community's roots date to 1920 . September 4, 2012 . Church News.
  9. Web site: Gilbert History . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100417155420/http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/busdev/profile/history.cfm . April 17, 2010 . September 4, 2012 . Ci.gilbert.az.us.
  10. Chandler, AZ, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1952 (1982 rev.)
  11. Web site: Gilbert, Arizona, USA – Monthly weather forecast and Climate data . April 10, 2019 . Weather Atlas.
  12. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type . February 23, 2024 . United States Census Bureau.
  13. Web site: P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Gilbert town, Arizona. United States Census Bureau.
  14. Web site: 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.
  15. Web site: 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.
  16. Web site: Cohen . Darryl . March 2015 . Population Trends in Incorporated Places: 2000 to 2013 . U.S. Census Bureau.
  17. Web site: March 17, 2010 . FBI Crime Statistics . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120917122839/http://www2.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius . September 17, 2012 . September 4, 2012 . Fbi.gov.
  18. http://en-us.nielsen.com/tab/product_families/nielsen_claritas Nielsen Claritas
  19. News: Steinbach . Alison . December 26, 2019 . Gilbert ranks highest on safety, livability . Arizona Business Gazette . Gannett . Phoenix, Arizona . 4 . Newspapers.com . 139 . 52 . USA Today Network.
  20. Web site: April 27, 2008 . LDS Church announces two new temples in Arizona . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930014058/http://www.sltrib.com/lds/ci_9071215?source=rss . September 30, 2012 . September 4, 2012 . The Salt Lake Tribune.
  21. https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/gilbert-arizona-temple/ Gilbert Arizona Temple
  22. Web site: May 13, 2023 . City of Gilbert 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report . May 13, 2024 . 141 . PDF.
  23. https://www.discovergilbert.com/ Discover Gilbert
  24. Web site: Town Hall Town of Gilbert, Arizona . February 28, 2020 . www.gilbertaz.gov.
  25. Web site: Gilbert Digital Newsroom Town of Gilbert, Arizona . February 28, 2020 . www.gilbertaz.gov.
  26. Web site: Aug. 9 . azcentral.com . 2011 11:01 AM The Republic . Gilbert 9/11 memorial: Work begins on site . February 28, 2020 . azcentral.com.
  27. https://nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/az/maricopa/state.html National Register of Historic Places Maricopa County, Arizona
  28. Web site: May 13, 2023 . Gilbert Parks and Recreation .
  29. Web site: Arizona Revised Statutes §9-276. Additional powers of cities . March 28, 2017 . Arizona State Legislature.
  30. Web site: Arizona Revised Statutes §9–122. Unification of a city and a town . July 31, 2009 . Arizona State Legislature.
  31. Web site: January 6, 2017 . Official biography, Congressman Andy Biggs . March 28, 2017 . Congressman Andy Biggs.
  32. Web site: Mayor & Town Council Town of Gilbert, Arizona . January 27, 2021 . www.gilbertaz.gov.
  33. Web site: Mayor & Town Council . April 10, 2023 . gilbertaz.gov.
  34. Web site: Mayors of Gilbert . April 11, 2023 . Gilbert Historical Museum.
  35. News: Steinbach . Alison . August 18, 2020 . Gilbert Town Council promotes Scott Anderson to interim mayor, taps newly elected Kathy Tilque to council . AZCentral.
  36. News: Staff . April 1, 2020 . Park University to expand campus in downtown Gilbert . April 1, 2020 . KTAR News.
  37. December 9, 2014 . Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map . Governing . May 4, 2018.
  38. Waymo Expanding Chandler Operations Ahead of Launch of Arizona Public Ride Service . The Arizona Republic . January 7, 2019.
  39. https://www.bannerhealth.com/locations/gilbert/banner-gateway-medical-center?y_source=1_MTE5MDczNzUtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
  40. https://eastvalleyhospital.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=mybusiness&utm_campaign=listing
  41. News: July 7, 2013 . For 1993 champ Jim Bechtel, Main Event always stirs up memories of competing at Binion's . October 2, 2017 . LasVegasSun.com.
  42. News: OSU Time And Change: Dave Burba . October 2, 2017 . ESPN.
  43. Web site: Dellenger . Ross . July 1, 2021 . Behind the Scenes as the Cavinder Twins Became the Faces of Day 1 of NIL . July 1, 2021 . Sports Illustrated.
  44. Web site: NFL Players . September 4, 2012 . National Football League.
  45. Web site: NFL Players . September 4, 2012 . National Football League.
  46. Web site: Los Angeles Galaxy: Roster: Player Bio . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090709233130/http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=gordon_a&playerId=gor137067&statType=current . July 9, 2009 . September 4, 2012 . La.galaxy.mlsnet.com.
  47. News: Midey, Connie . July 3, 2011 . Former Miss USA and TV news anchor is still a farm girl at heart . June 19, 2018 . The Arizona Republic.
  48. Web site: TucsonSentinel.com . Prezelski . Ted . Arizonan Gordon scores one for the Quakes Soccer notes . April 22, 2022 . TucsonSentinel.com.
  49. Web site: Thomas . Mike . Whatever Happened To: Shea Hillenbrand . April 22, 2022 . Wicked Local . en-US.
  50. Web site: April 11, 2008 . Gilbert woman vies for Miss USA . September 4, 2012 . The Arizona Republic.
  51. Web site: June 21, 2020 . Highly Sociable webcast .
  52. News: Burnsilver . Glenn . November 9, 2016 . Gilbert's Lydia to Perform with Full String Section at Mesa Arts Center . October 3, 2017 . Phoenix New Times.
  53. Web site: The Valley's priciest home sales . February 11, 2011 . The Arizona Republic.
  54. Web site: Astronaut Bio: Carlos I. Noriega (1/2008) . September 4, 2012 . Jsc.nasa.gov.
  55. Web site: Phil Ortega Statistics . September 4, 2012 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  56. Web site: Gilbert's Lindsey Stirling No. 2 on Billboard chart . May 8, 2004 . The Arizona Republic.
  57. Web site: Lifehouse is 'All In:' Pop band's Gilbert-born drummer still sharing 'moments' with fans . February 17, 2022 . entertainermag.com – Entertainer Magazine.
  58. Web site: Gilbert Sister Cities - Promoting Cultural Understanding . GilbertSisterCities.org . November 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005071949/https://www.gilbertsistercities.org/ . October 5, 2024 . live .

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