Editing Gilbert, Arizona

{{Short description|Town in Maricopa County, Arizona}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Gilbert, Arizona
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| motto              = "Gilbert: Clean, Safe, Vibrant"

<!-- Images --------------->| image_skyline      = Gilbert-Gilbert_Heritage_District_as_viewed_from_Gilbert_Rd..jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Gilbert's Heritage Court as viewed from Gilbert Road
| image_flag         = Flag of Gilbert, Arizona.svg
| image_blank_emblem = GilbertAZlogo.png
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| image_map          = Maricopa County Arizona Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Gilbert Highlighted 0427400.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = Location in Maricopa County, Arizona
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location ------------->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Arizona]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Arizona|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa]]
<!-- Government ----------->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Scott Anderson]]
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1891
| established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1  = July 6, 1920
| named_for          = Robert Gilbert
<!-- Area ----------------->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{Cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_04.txt |access-date=February 23, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| 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 ----------->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 275346
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2022" />
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Gilbert_town,_Arizona?g=160XX00US0427400 |access-date=February 23, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
| population_total   = 267918
| population_density_km2 = 1549
| population_density_sq_mi = 4010
| population_rank    = US: [[List of United States cities by population|76th]]<br>AZ: [[List of municipalities in Arizona|5th]]
| population_urban   = 
| population_metro   = <!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]] (no [[Daylight saving time|DST]])
| utc_offset         = –7
| timezone_DST       = 
| utc_offset_DST     = 
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 377
| elevation_ft       = 1237
| coordinates        = {{coord|33|21|10|N|111|47|20|W|region:US-AZ|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 85233, 85234, 85295, 85296, 85297, 85298, 85299
| area_code          = [[Area code 480|480]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 04-27400
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0005032<ref name="gnis">{{GNIS|0005032}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = [[Sales tax]]
| blank2_info        = 7.8%<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilbert (AZ) sales tax rate |url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/arizona/cities/gilbert.html |access-date=February 23, 2024}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://www.gilbertaz.gov/|gilbertaz.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Gilbert''' is a town in [[Maricopa County, Arizona]], United States. Located southeast of [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], Gilbert is home to 288,128 residents.<ref name="ESRI 2023">[https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/data/data-portfolio/demographics ESRI 2023]</ref> It is the fifth-most populous municipality in Arizona and the [[List of United States cities by population|76th-most populous in the United States]]. It is considered a [[suburb]] of Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phoenix Gilbert |url=https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/gilbert-maricopa-az/ |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=[[Niche (company)]]}}</ref>  

Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert was once known as the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World".<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2024 |title=Gilbert, Arizona - About Us |url=https://www.gilbertaz.gov/how-do-i/about-us}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 19, 2010 |title=Gilbert Arizona Community's roots date to 1920 |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2010-11-19/gilbert-arizona-communitys-roots-date-to-1920-36358 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |work=[[Church News]]}}</ref>

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"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilbert History |url=http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/busdev/profile/history.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417155420/http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/busdev/profile/history.cfm |archive-date=April 17, 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=Ci.gilbert.az.us}}</ref> from 1911 until the late 1920s.

==Geography==
Gilbert is in the southeastern [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] metropolitan area. It is south of [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]], northeast of [[Chandler, Arizona|Chandler]], and northwest of [[Queen Creek, Arizona|Queen Creek]].<ref>''Chandler, AZ,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1952 (1982 rev.)</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has an area of {{convert|68.86|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|68.65|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.20|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023" />

===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.

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location = Gilbert, Arizona
|single line = Y
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F =  89
|Feb record high F =  95
|Mar record high F =  99
|Apr record high F = 106
|May record high F = 118
|Jun record high F = 116
|Jul record high F = 119
|Aug record high F = 115
|Sep record high F = 113
|Oct record high F = 107
|Nov record high F =  97
|Dec record high F =  86
|Jan high F =  67
|Feb high F =  71
|Mar high F =  77
|Apr high F =  85
|May high F =  94
|Jun high F = 104
|Jul high F = 106
|Aug high F = 104
|Sep high F =  99
|Oct high F =  89
|Nov high F =  75
|Dec high F =  67

|Jan low F = 41
|Feb low F = 45
|Mar low F = 49
|Apr low F = 54
|May low F = 61
|Jun low F = 70
|Jul low F = 77
|Aug low F = 76
|Sep low F = 70
|Oct low F = 59
|Nov low F = 47
|Dec low F = 40

|Jan record low F = 15
|Feb record low F = 19
|Mar record low F = 24
|Apr record low F = 30
|May record low F = 37
|Jun record low F = 43
|Jul record low F = 54
|Aug record low F = 51
|Sep record low F = 40
|Oct record low F = 30
|Nov record low F = 22
|Dec record low F = 17
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.01
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.03
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.19
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.33
|May precipitation inch = 0.13
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.04
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.89
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.14
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.89
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.81
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.77
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.98

|source 1 = The Weather Channel<ref>{{Cite web |title=Average Weather for Gilbert, AZ – Temperature and Precipitation |url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USAZ0082 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719103341/http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USAZ0082 |archive-date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2017 |publisher=Weather.com}}</ref>}}

{|style="width:auto;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
!Colspan=14|Climate data for Gilbert
|-
!Month
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year
|-
!Mean daily daylight hours
|style="background:#F0F011;color:#000000;"|10.0
|style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0
|style="background:#FFFF33;color:#000000;"|12.0
|style="background:#FFFF44;color:#000000;"|13.0
|style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0
|style="background:#FFFF5D;color:#000000;"|14.5
|style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0
|style="background:#FFFF4C;color:#000000;"|13.5
|style="background:#FFFF3B;color:#000000;"|12.5
|style="background:#FBFB2A;color:#000000;"|11.5
|style="background:#F4F419;color:#000000;"|10.5
|style="background:#F0F011;color:#000000;"|10.0
|style="background:#FFFF36;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|12.2
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source: Weather Atlas<ref name="Weather Atlas">{{Cite web |title=Gilbert, Arizona, USA – Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/arizona-usa/gilbert-climate |access-date=April 10, 2019 |publisher=Weather Atlas}}</ref>
|}

==Demographics==
{{prose|section|date=December 2015}}
{{US Census population
|1920= 865
|1930= 791
|1940= 837
|1950= 1114
|1960= 1833
|1970= 1971
|1980= 5717
|1990= 29188
|2000= 109697
|2010= 208453
|2020= 267918
|estyear=2024
|estimate=275346
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2024 |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |access-date=February 23, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=June 4, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)" />
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 267,918 people, 88,896 households, and 69,603 families residing in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Gilbert%20town,%20Arizona%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=February 23, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> There were 93,230 housing units.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Gilbert town, Arizona – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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.''}}</small>
!Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Gilbert town, Arizona|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US0427400|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop. 2010<ref name="2010CensusP2">{{Cite web |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Gilbert town, Arizona |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0427400&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name="2020CensusP2">{{Cite web |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Gilbert town, Arizona |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0427400&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|87,597
|151,930
|style='background: #ffffe6; |178,671
|79.85%
|72.88%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |66.69%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|2,515
|6,606
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9,601
|2.29%
|3.17%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.58%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|559
|1,394
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,998
|0.51%
|0.67%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.75%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|3,863
|11,877
|style='background: #ffffe6; |17,690
|3.52%
|5.70%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.60%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|120
|406
|style='background: #ffffe6; |574
|0.11%
|0.19%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.21%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some other race]] alone (NH)
|111
|264
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,211
|0.10%
|0.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.45%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multi-racial]] (NH)
|1,906
|4,902
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13,041
|1.74%
|2.35%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.87%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|13,026
|31,074
|style='background: #ffffe6; |45,132
|11.87%
|14.91%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16.85%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''109,697'''
|'''208,453'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''267,918'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|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%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Darryl |date=March 2015 |title=Population Trends in Incorporated Places: 2000 to 2013 |url=https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/demo/p25-1142.pdf#page=7 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
* Fastest growing municipality in the United States from 1990 to 2003 ([[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]])
* 4th fastest growing municipality in the United States ([[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau – 2009]])
* One of the top 25 safest cities in the United States<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2010 |title=FBI Crime Statistics |url=https://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917122839/http://www2.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius |archive-date=September 17, 2012 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=Fbi.gov}}</ref>
* 34.5% of Gilbert residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name="Nielsen Claritas">[http://en-us.nielsen.com/tab/product_families/nielsen_claritas Nielsen Claritas] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618213444/http://en-us.nielsen.com/tab/product_families/nielsen_claritas |date=June 18, 2010 }}</ref>
* Highest household median income in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with population 50,000+ (U.S. Census Bureau – 2005)

According to Nielsen's Claritas demographics,<ref name="Nielsen Claritas" /> in 2009 the estimated racial makeup of the town was:
* 81.5% [[White American|White]]
* 15.4% [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]]
* 3.1% [[African American|Black or African American]]
* 0.8% Native American
* 4.7% [[Asian American|Asian]]
* 0.2% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]]
* 6.0% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]]
* 3.7% from two or more races

'''2009 estimated population data by gender/age''':<ref name="Nielsen Claritas" />
* 31.37 average age male/female. By 2019, the average age was reported as 33.6.<ref name="Steinbach2019">{{Cite news |last=Steinbach |first=Alison |date=December 26, 2019 |title=Gilbert ranks highest on safety, livability |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43390829/gilbert_ranks_highest_on_safety/ |work=Arizona Business Gazette |publisher=Gannett |location=Phoenix, Arizona |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com |volume=139 |issue=52 |agency=USA Today Network}}</ref>
* 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''':<ref name="Nielsen Claritas" />
* 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''':<ref name="Nielsen Claritas" />
* 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.<ref name="Steinbach2019" />
* 10.5% master's degree or higher

'''2009 estimated household by household income''':<ref name="Nielsen Claritas" />
* $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.<ref name="Steinbach2019" />
* $35,559 per capita Income
* 2.3% of families were below the poverty level

===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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2008 |title=LDS Church announces two new temples in Arizona |url=http://www.sltrib.com/lds/ci_9071215?source=rss |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930014058/http://www.sltrib.com/lds/ci_9071215?source=rss |archive-date=September 30, 2012 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref><ref>[https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/gilbert-arizona-temple/ Gilbert Arizona Temple], ldschurchtemples.com. Retrieved April 27, 2008.</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Gilbert Civic Center.jpg|thumb|right|Town Hall building at the Civic Center]]
[[File:Gilbert SW01.jpg|thumb|Gilbert Historical Museum]]
[[File:Picture of lake front in Val Vista Lakes in Gilbert, Arizona, USA.jpg|thumb|right|A waterfront in the Val Vista Lakes community in Gilbert]]
[[File:Downtown Gilbert - SWC Gilbert & Page - 2009-03-23.JPG|thumb|right|The Liberty Market with the Gilbert water tower (in background), pictured in March 2009]]
[[File:SanTan Village - North - 2009-09-20.JPG|thumb|right|[[SanTan Village]] in September 2009]]

===Largest employers===
According to its 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2023 |title=City of Gilbert 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report |url=https://www.gilbertaz.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/48129/638403063481070000 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |page=141 |format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]]}}</ref> Gilbert's top employers are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! 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==
The town's official tourism site, Discover Gilbert,<ref>[https://www.discovergilbert.com/ Discover Gilbert]</ref> 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<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Hall {{!}} Town of Gilbert, Arizona |url=https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/town-hall |access-date=February 28, 2020 |website=www.gilbertaz.gov}}</ref> that features an eight-foot steel girder beam<ref>{{Citation |last=Atridim |first=Captain Rick |title=9-11 Memorial in Gilbert Arizona |date=September 25, 2011 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/atridim/8209572942/ |access-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref> that held up the North Tower of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]].{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilbert Digital Newsroom {{!}} Town of Gilbert, Arizona |url=https://www.gilbertaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/296/ |access-date=February 28, 2020 |website=www.gilbertaz.gov}}</ref>

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,<ref>{{Citation |title=9/11 Memorial – Gilbert, Arizona |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiCVN4YTuJY |access-date=February 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/NiCVN4YTuJY |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |url-status=live |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aug. 9 |last2=azcentral.com |first2=2011 11:01 AM The Republic {{!}} |title=Gilbert 9/11 memorial: Work begins on site |url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/08/09/20110809gilbert-911-memorial-construction-work-begins.html |access-date=February 28, 2020 |website=azcentral.com}}</ref>

===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 listings in Maricopa County, Arizona|National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com">[https://nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/az/maricopa/state.html National Register of Historic Places Maricopa County, Arizona]</ref>

==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).<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2023 |title=Gilbert Parks and Recreation |url=https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation}}</ref>  

==Government==
Since Gilbert remains incorporated as a town, it lacks the additional powers possessed by nearby [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]] and [[Chandler, Arizona|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arizona Revised Statutes §9-276. Additional powers of cities |url=http://www.azleg.gov/ars/9/00276.htm |access-date=March 28, 2017 |publisher=Arizona State Legislature}}</ref> Unlike most of its neighboring communities, Gilbert is theoretically vulnerable to annexation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arizona Revised Statutes §9–122. Unification of a city and a town |url=http://www.azleg.gov/ars/9/00122.htm |access-date=July 31, 2009 |publisher=Arizona State Legislature}}</ref>

The town is part of {{ushr|AZ|5}}, which is represented by Republican and Gilbert resident [[Andy Biggs]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2017 |title=Official biography, Congressman Andy Biggs |url=https://biggs.house.gov/biography |access-date=March 28, 2017 |publisher=Congressman Andy Biggs}}</ref> The mayor is [[Brigette Peterson]].<ref name="mayor_source">{{Cite web |title=Mayor & Town Council {{!}} Town of Gilbert, Arizona |url=https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/town-hall/mayor-town-council |access-date=January 27, 2021 |website=www.gilbertaz.gov}}</ref>

===Mayors of Gilbert===
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=75% align="left"
|-
! style="background:#F5DEB3"|  <small>Mayors of Gilbert, Arizona</small>
|-
|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Image
! Mayor
! Years
! Notes
|- style="height:2em"
|-
|
| Everett R. Wilbur
| July 16, 1920 – August 2, 1921
| <ref name="mayors">{{Cite web |title=Mayor & Town Council |url=https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/town-hall/mayor-town-council |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=gilbertaz.gov}}</ref><ref name="GHM">{{Cite web |title=Mayors of Gilbert |url=https://hdsouth.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Gilbert-Mayors.pdf |access-date=April 11, 2023 |website=Gilbert Historical Museum}}</ref>
|-
|
| E.R. Stoner
| August 6, 1921 – November 1, 1921
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| R.W. Merrell
| November 7, 1921 – June 4, 1923
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Claude J. Cullumber
| June 22, 1923 – June 1, 1925
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| R.R. Creed
| June 18, 1925 – June 7, 1927
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Walter W. Page
| June 7, 1927 – June 7, 1937
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Ward C. Burk
| June 10, 1937 – June 5, 1939
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Wayne McFrederick
| July 10, 1939 – July 10, 1943
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Ward C. Burk
| July 5, 1943 – July 4, 1945
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| M.S. Vaughn
| June 12, 1945 – June 9, 1947
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| R.D. Hearne
| June 25, 1947 – January 3, 1949
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Roy Fuller
| February 7, 1949 – June 6, 1949
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Tom Clement
| July 11, 1949 – June 13, 1955
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| George Russell
| June 16, 1955 – January 9, 1956
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Kenyon Udall
| January 17, 1956 – June 8, 1959
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Morris Cooper
| July 1, 1959 – June 12, 1967
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| John Moore
| July 5, 1967 – September 11, 1967
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Jack Smith
| October 9, 1967 – June 9, 1969
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Vernon Gist
| July 1, 1969 – June 14, 1971
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Dale Hallock
| July 1, 1971 – June 14, 1976
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| David Thompson
| July 21, 1976 – August 11, 1978
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Ed Lane
| August 22, 1978 – May 29, 1981
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| L.J. Reed
| June 2, 1981 – June 2, 1987
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| James Farley
| June 9, 1987 – June 6, 1989
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Steven Berman
| June 13, 1989 – June 4, 1991
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Jo Albright
| June 4, 1991 – April 28, 1992
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Wilburn Brown
| May 26, 1992 – December 4, 1992 
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Wilburn Brown
| March 16, 1993 – June 10, 1997 
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Cynthia Dunham
| June 10, 1997 – June 12, 2001
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Steven Berman
| June 12, 2001 – June 15, 2009
| <ref name=mayors/>
|-
|
| [[John Lewis (Arizona politician)|John W. Lewis]]
| June 16, 2009 – July 19, 2016
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|[[File:Jenn Daniels 53531678394.jpg|75px]]
| [[Jenn Daniels]]
| July 19, 2016 – August 18, 2020
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| Scott Anderson
| August 18, 2020 – January 12, 2021
| Appointed by a 7–0 vote of the city council after the resignation of Jenn Daniels<ref name=mayors/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Steinbach |first=Alison |date=August 18, 2020 |title=Gilbert Town Council promotes Scott Anderson to interim mayor, taps newly elected Kathy Tilque to council |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/gilbert/2020/08/18/gilbert-appoints-scott-anderson-interim-mayor-through-january/5602696002/ |work=[[AZCentral]]}}</ref><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
| [[Brigette Peterson]]
| January 12, 2021 – incumbent
| <ref name=mayors/><ref name=GHM/>
|-
|
|}
|}
{{clear}}

==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 [[Park University Gilbert|Gilbert Campus Center]] after leasing {{convert|18000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} at the University Building in the city's Heritage District.<ref name="ParkGilbert2019">{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=April 1, 2020 |title=Park University to expand campus in downtown Gilbert |url=https://ktar.com/story/2680894/park-university-to-expand-campus-in-downtown-gilbert/ |access-date=April 1, 2020 |publisher=KTAR News}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
{{Main|Metropolitan Phoenix Freeways}}
Gilbert is primarily served by one [[Roads and freeways in metropolitan Phoenix|area freeway]]—the Santan Freeway portion of [[Arizona State Route 202|Loop 202]]. A small section of the [[U.S. Route 60 in Arizona|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, Arizona|Chandler]] Boulevard, and Gilbert Road. The town is relatively close to [[Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport]], in east [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]], and is a 25-minute drive from [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]].

A [[Park and ride|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.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=December 9, 2014 |title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map |url=http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html |journal=Governing |access-date=May 4, 2018}}</ref>

In 2018 [[Waymo]] started testing in a small portion of Gilbert's northwest.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Waymo Expanding Chandler Operations Ahead of Launch of Arizona Public Ride Service |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2018/08/21/waymo-expands-arizona-footprint-chandler-before-ride-service-start/1046805002/ |journal=The Arizona Republic |access-date=January 7, 2019}}</ref>

===Health care===
* [[Mercy Gilbert Medical Center]]
* [[Banner Gateway Medical Center]]<ref>https://www.bannerhealth.com/locations/gilbert/banner-gateway-medical-center?y_source=1_MTE5MDczNzUtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D</ref>
* [[East Valley ER & Hospital]]<ref>https://eastvalleyhospital.com/</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Jim Bechtel]], professional [[poker]] player; World Champion of Poker in 1993; lives in Gilbert<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2013 |title=For 1993 champ Jim Bechtel, Main Event always stirs up memories of competing at Binion's |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jul/07/1993-main-event-champ-jim-bechtel-poker/ |access-date=October 2, 2017 |work=LasVegasSun.com}}</ref>
* [[Dave Burba]], pitcher for late 1990s [[Cleveland Indians]]; lives in Gilbert<ref>{{Cite news |title=OSU Time And Change: Dave Burba |url=http://www.espn.com/colleges/osu/story/_/id/8154261/dave-burba-back-minors |access-date=October 2, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref>
* [[Tony Cascio]], soccer player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Cascio |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/tony-cascio/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=[[Major League Soccer]]}}</ref>
* [[Haley Cavinder]], college basketball player [[Fresno State Bulldogs women's basketball|Fresno State]] and [[Miami Hurricanes women's basketball|Miami]] who grew up in Gilbert and graduated from [[Gilbert High School (Arizona)|Gilbert High School]]<ref name=BtSatCTBtFoD1oN>{{Cite web |last=Dellenger |first=Ross |date=July 1, 2021 |title=Behind the Scenes as the Cavinder Twins Became the Faces of Day 1 of NIL |url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/07/01/hanna-haley-cavinder-twins-nil-deal-basketball-tiktok |access-date=July 1, 2021 |website=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref>
* [[Hanna Cavinder]], college basketball player [[Fresno State Bulldogs women's basketball|Fresno State]] and [[Miami Hurricanes women's basketball|Miami]] who grew up in Gilbert and graduated from [[Gilbert High School (Arizona)|Gilbert High School]]<ref name=BtSatCTBtFoD1oN/>
*[[Marquis Cooper]], professional [[linebacker]]; played for [[Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)|Highland High School]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Players |url=http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/492913 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=National Football League}}</ref>
* [[Ken Delo]], singer best known for'' [[The Lawrence Welk Show]]''; lives in Gilbert{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}
*[[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 (Gilbert, Arizona)|Highland High School]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Players |url=http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/547043 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=National Football League}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Galaxy: Roster: Player Bio |url=http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=gordon_a&playerId=gor137067&statType=current |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709233130/http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=gordon_a&playerId=gor137067&statType=current |archive-date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=La.galaxy.mlsnet.com}}</ref>
* [[Jineane Ford]], Miss Arizona USA 1980, [[Miss USA]] 1980<ref>{{Cite news |last=Midey, Connie |date=July 3, 2011 |title=Former Miss USA and TV news anchor is still a farm girl at heart |url=http://archive.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/20110703comeback0703jineane.html |access-date=June 19, 2018 |work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>
* [[Alan Gordon (soccer)|Alan Gordon]], professional soccer player; raised in Gilbert<ref>{{Cite web |last=TucsonSentinel.com |last2=Prezelski |first2=Ted |title=Arizonan Gordon scores one for the Quakes {{!}} Soccer notes |url=http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/sports/report//051512_soccer-notes/ |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=TucsonSentinel.com}}</ref>
* [[Dan Hausel]], Hall of Fame martial artist; resident of Gilbert since 2006
* [[Shea Hillenbrand]], All-Star professional baseball player and rescue farm owner<ref>{{Cite web |editor-last=Thomas |editor-first=Mike |title=Whatever Happened To: Shea Hillenbrand |url=https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/archive/2009/04/23/whatever-happened-to-shea-hillenbrand/38084784007/ |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=Wicked Local |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Darrin Jackson]], professional baseball player, 1985–1999; TV broadcaster; lives in Gilbert{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}
*[[Nick Johnson (basketball)|Nick Johnson]] (born 1992), basketball player in the [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]]
* [[Kimberly Joiner]], [[Miss Arizona USA]] 2008; raised in and still lives in Gilbert<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2008 |title=Gilbert woman vies for Miss USA |url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2008/04/11/20080411gr-missusa11-ON.html |access-date=September 4, 2012 |website=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>
* [[Mina Kimes]], [[ESPN]] TV personality and journalist; lived in Gilbert during teenage years; attended [[Mesquite High School (Arizona)|Mesquite High School]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2020 |title=Highly Sociable webcast |url=https://twitter.com/minakimes/status/1274736651726553091/video/1}}</ref>
* [[Naomi Lang]], five-time U.S. ice dance champion, 2002 Olympian{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}
* [[Spencer Larsen]], former professional football player; raised in Gilbert; played for [[Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)|Highland High School]]
* [[Justin Lassen]], artist; lives in Gilbert; graduated from Gilbert High School in 2000{{dubious|date=December 2010}}
* [[Ryan Leslie]], television personality on [[MTV]]'s ''[[The Real World: New Orleans (2010)|The Real World: New Orleans]]''{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}
* [[Lydia (band)|Lydia]], band<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burnsilver |first=Glenn |date=November 9, 2016 |title=Gilbert's Lydia to Perform with Full String Section at Mesa Arts Center |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com |access-date=October 3, 2017 |work=Phoenix New Times}}</ref>
* [[Bengie Molina]], former [[Major League Baseball]] [[catcher]]; has lived in Gilbert since 2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Valley's priciest home sales |url=http://www.azcentral.com/business/realestate/articles/20110201arizona-priciest-home-sales-done-deals.html |access-date=February 11, 2011 |website=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>
* [[Alex Naddour]], bronze medalist at 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and in pommel horse at [[2016 Summer Olympics]]; graduate from [[Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)|Highland High School]]
* [[Carlos I. Noriega]], [[NASA]] [[astronaut]]; retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]]; lives in Gilbert<ref>{{Cite web |title=Astronaut Bio: Carlos I. Noriega (1/2008) |url=http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/noriega.html |access-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=Jsc.nasa.gov}}</ref>
* [[Phil Ortega]], [[MLB]] [[pitcher]], 1960–1969; born in Gilbert in 1939<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Ortega Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/o/ortegph01.shtml |access-date=September 4, 2012 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>
*[[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 [[Gymnastics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's vault|2020 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Lindsey Stirling]], violinist, dancer, and performer; Mesquite High School graduate<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilbert's Lindsey Stirling No. 2 on Billboard chart |url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/05/07/lindsey-stirling-billboard-album-chart-gilbert/8818225/ |access-date=May 8, 2004 |website=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>
* [[Eric Swann]], NFL player for [[Arizona Cardinals]]; lives in Gilbert{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}
* [[Rick Woolstenhulme]], drummer for band [[Lifehouse (band)|Lifehouse]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lifehouse is 'All In:' Pop band's Gilbert-born drummer still sharing 'moments' with fans |url=https://entertainermag.com/blog/2019/09/17/lifehouse-is-all-in-pop-bands-gilbert-born-drummer-still-sharing-moments-with-fans/ |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=entertainermag.com – Entertainer Magazine}}</ref>

== Sister cities ==
Gilbert has two sister cities:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gilbertsistercities.org/ |title=Gilbert Sister Cities - Promoting Cultural Understanding |publisher=GilbertSisterCities.org |access-date=November 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005071949/https://www.gilbertsistercities.org/ |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Leshan]], China
* {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Antrim and Newtownabbey]], Northern Ireland

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|voy=Gilbert}}
* {{Official website|https://www.gilbertaz.gov/}}

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