Gilbert, Arizona

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, the first store in Gilbert, opened in 1910 and became the location of the first post office in 1912. The location of the town post office moved several times before settling on the east side of Gilbert Road in downtown, where it still stands today. In 1912, many Mormons who had fled the Mormon colonies in Mexico due to the actions of the forces of Pancho Villa settled in Gilbert. By 1915, they began holding church meetings at the Gilbert Elementary School. In 1918, they were organized into the Gilbert Ward.[7]

Incorporated in July 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"[8] 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), twelfth-most livable town, and seventh-best place to raise a family in the United States.[9]

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

According to the United States Census Bureau, in the 2000 Census, the town had an estimated area of 40 square miles (104 km²). As of 2021 the town has a total area of 68.8 square miles (178 km²), of which 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²), or 0.30%, are water.[3]

As of the census of 2010, 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%.[14]
• 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
• One of the top 25 safest cities in the United States[15]
• 34.5% of Gilbert residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.[16]
• Highest household median income in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with population 50,000+ (U.S. Census Bureau – 2005)

According to Nielsen's Claritas demographics,[16] 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:[16]

• 31.37 average age male/female. By 2019, the average age was reported as 33.6.[9]
• 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:[16]

• 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:[16]

• 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.[9]
• 10.5% master's degree or higher

2009 estimated household by household income:[16]

• $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.[9]
• $35,559 per capita Income
• 2.3% of families were below the poverty level

Gilbert Regional Park and Desert Sky Park were established in 2019 with multi-million dollar investments.

The Freestone Recreation Center, north of Freestone Park, was opened in 2002. It has a rock wall, a gymnasium, a steam room and dry sauna, and exercise equipment.[9]

Gilbert was recognized in 2010 as the "36th Best Place to Live in the nation",[28] as well as among the nation's "top places to live and learn",[28] by GreatSchools.org. Washington, DC-based CQ Press rated Gilbert the "safest municipality in Arizona, and 25th safest in the nation."[29]

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 possess.[30] Unlike most of its neighboring communities, Gilbert is theoretically vulnerable to annexation.[31]

The town is part of Arizona's 5th congressional district, which is represented by Republican and Gilbert resident Andy Biggs.[32] The mayor of Gilbert is Brigette Peterson.[2]

Mayors of Gilbert

Mayors of Gilbert, Arizona

Image Mayor Years Notes Everett R. Wilbur July 16, 1920 – August 2, 1921 [33][34] E.R. Stoner August 6, 1921 – November 1, 1921 [33][34] R.W. Merrell November 7, 1921 – June 4, 1923 [33][34] Claude J. Cullumber June 22, 1923 – June 1, 1925 [33][34] R.R. Creed June 18, 1925 – June 7, 1927 [33][34] Walter W. Page June 7, 1927 – June 7, 1937 [33][34] Ward C. Burk June 10, 1937 – June 5, 1939 [33][34] Wayne McFrederick July 10, 1939 – July 10, 1943 [33][34] Ward C. Burk July 5, 1943 – July 4, 1945 [33][34] M.S. Vaughn June 12, 1945 – June 9, 1947 [33][34] R.D. Hearne June 25, 1947 – January 3, 1949 [33][34] Roy Fuller February 7, 1949 – June 6, 1949 [33][34] Tom Clement July 11, 1949 – June 13, 1955 [33][34] George Russell June 16, 1955 – January 9, 1956 [33][34] Kenyon Udall January 17, 1956 – June 8, 1959 [33][34] Morris Cooper July 1, 1959 – June 12, 1967 [33][34] John Moore July 5, 1967 – September 11, 1967 [33][34] Jack Smith October 9, 1967 – June 9, 1969 [33][34] Vernon Gist July 1, 1969 – June 14, 1971 [33][34] Dale Hallock July 1, 1971 – June 14, 1976 [33][34] David Thompson July 21, 1976 – August 11, 1978 [33][34] Ed Lane August 22, 1978 – May 29, 1981 [33][34] L.J. Reed June 2, 1981 – June 2, 1987 [33][34] James Farley June 9, 1987 – June 6, 1989 [33][34] Steven Berman June 13, 1989 – June 4, 1991 [33][34] Jo Albright June 4, 1991 – April 28, 1992 [33][34] Wilburn Brown May 26, 1992 – December 4, 1992 [33][34] Wilburn Brown March 16, 1993 – June 10, 1997 [33][34] Cynthia Dunham June 10, 1997 – June 12, 2001 [33][34] Steven Berman June 12, 2001 – June 15, 2009 [33] John W. Lewis June 16, 2009 – July 19, 2016 [33][34] Jenn Daniels July 19, 2016 – August 18, 2020 [33][34] Scott Anderson August 18, 2020 – January 12, 2021 Appointed by a 7–0 vote of the city council after the resignation of Jenn Daniels[33][35][34] Brigette Peterson January 12, 2021 – incumbent [33][34]

Most of Gilbert is zoned to schools in the Gilbert Public Schools, while other portions 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, the 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.[36]

Part of a series of the
Cities, towns and CDPs in Arizona with lists and images of historic properties, forts, cemeteries or historic districts
Flag of Arizona
Lists of structures, etc. Adamsville Agua Caliente Ash Fork Avondale Benson Bisbee Black Canyon City Bouse Brigham City Buckeye Cameron Camp Verde Casa Grande Cave Creek Chandler Clarkdale Clifton Cottonwood Dateland Dewey–Humboldt Douglas Duncan Eagar Ehrenberg Fairbank Flagstaff Florence Gila Bend Gilbert Gillett Glendale Globe Gold King Mine Ghost Town Goldfield Grand Canyon Village Guadalupe Hackberry Hereford Holbrook Jerome Joseph City Kearny Kingman Litchfield Park Mayer Mesa Miami New River Nogales Oatman Oracle Paradise Valley Parker Patagonia Payson Pearce Peoria Phoenix Pine-Strawberry Prescott Prescott Valley Quartzsite Queen Creek Sacaton Safford Salome Scottsdale Sedona Seligman Snowflake Solomon Superior Tempe Tombstone Tonopah Tubac Tucson Tumacacori Twin Arrows Two Guns Vulture City Weedville Wickenburg Willcox Williams Winslow Wintersburg Yuma
Forts Fort Apache Fort Huachuca Fort_Lowell Fort McDowell Fort Tyson Fort Whipple
Cemeteries Adamsville A.O.U.W. Cemetery Ba Dah Mod Jo Cemetery Boothill Cemetery City of Mesa Cemetery Cooks Cedar Glade Cemetery Crosscut Cemetery Double Butte Cemetery Liberty Cemetery Glendale Memorial Park Cemetery Goodyear Farms Historic Cemetery Greenwood/Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery Home Mission Cemetery Historic Pinal Cemetery Pioneer and Military Memorial Park Russian Spiritual Christians Cemetery St. Francis Catholic Cemetery Old Path Cemetery West Resthaven Park Cemetery
Historic districts Catlin Court Historic District Clarkdale Historic District Cottonwood Commercial Historic District Fort Huachuca National Historic District Globe Downtown Historic District Phoenix Historic Property Register Lynx Creek District in Prescott Valley Sunnyslope District in Phoenix

The following is a brief description of the historic structures which are pictured. Some of these structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places while others are listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.[27][39]

• Gilbert Elementary School was built in 1913. It is located at 10 S. Gilbert Rd. and now houses the Gilbert Historical Museum. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
• Gilbert High School was built in 1920. It now houses the Gilbert Public School District Office. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• The Gilbert Water Tower was built in 1925. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• Gilbert's First Jail House was built in 1918 and later used as a pump house. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• The Tone Building was built in 1929 and now houses Joe's Real BBQ Restaurant. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• Liberty Market was built in 1936. Liberty Market was established by the Ong family. The neon sign which is still on display was designed by Mae Ong, the wife of Ben Ong, who purchased the market in 1943. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• The Creed building was built in 1918. It now houses the Farmhouse Restaurant. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• The Attaway Phelps-Blakely Building was built in 1910. It now houses the Norwood Furniture store. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• The Bank of Gilbert was built in 1917. It now houses an insurance company. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• Clare's Metal Shop was built in 1918. It now houses Bergies Coffee. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• Clement's Garage was built in 1934. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.
• The American Legion Post 39 was built in 1934.

• Jim Bechtel, professional poker player; World Champion of Poker in 1993; lives in Gilbert[40]
• Dave Burba, pitcher for late 1990s Cleveland Indians; lives in Gilbert[41]
• Haley Cavinder, current basketball player at Fresno State and internet personality; grew up in Gilbert and graduated from Gilbert High School[42]
• Marquis Cooper, professional linebacker; played for Highland High School[43]
• Ken Delo, singer best known for The Lawrence Welk Show; lives in Gilbert
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, former NFL quarterback; played for Highland High School[44][45]
• Jineane Ford, Miss Arizona USA 1980, Miss USA 1980[46]
• Alan Gordon, professional soccer player; raised in Gilbert[47]
• Dan Hausel, Hall of Fame martial artist; resident of Gilbert since 2006
• Shea Hillenbrand, All-Star professional baseball player and rescue farm owner[48]
• Darrin Jackson, professional baseball player, 1985–1999; TV broadcaster; lives in Gilbert
• Kimberly Joiner, Miss Arizona USA 2008; raised in and still lives in Gilbert[49]
• Mina Kimes, ESPN TV personality and journalist; lived in Gilbert during teenage years; attended Mesquite High School[50]
• Naomi Lang, five-time U.S. ice dance champion, 2002 Olympian
• Spencer Larsen, former professional football player; raised in Gilbert; played for Highland High School
• Justin Lassen, artist; lives in Gilbert; graduated from Gilbert High School in 2000
• Ryan Leslie, television personality on MTV's The Real World: New Orleans
• Lydia, band[51]
• Bengie Molina, former Major League Baseball catcher; has lived in Gilbert since 2011[52]
• Alex Naddour, bronze medalist at 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and in pommel horse at 2016 Summer Olympics; graduate from Highland High School
• Carlos I. Noriega, NASA astronaut; retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel; lives in Gilbert[53]
• Phil Ortega, MLB pitcher, 1960–1969; born in Gilbert in 1939[54]
• Brock Purdy, NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers
• MyKayla Skinner, gold medalist at 2014 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships; silver medalist on vault at the 2020 Summer Olympics
• Lindsey Stirling, violinist, dancer, and performer; Mesquite High School graduate[55]
• Eric Swann, NFL player for Arizona Cardinals; lives in Gilbert
• Rick Woolstenhulme, drummer for band Lifehouse[56]

• Official website