Editing Gilroy, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Gilroy, California
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
<!-- images and maps  ----------->| image_skyline      = Old City Hall, 7410 Monterey St., Gilroy, CA 9-23-2012 3-25-51 PM.JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Old City Hall in Downtown Gilroy
| image_flag         = Flag of Gilroy, California.png
| image_seal         = Seal of Gilroy, California.svg
| nickname           = "Garlic Capital of the World"
| image_map          = File:Santa Clara County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Gilroy Highlighted 0629504.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Gilroy in Santa Clara County, California
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief     = 1
<!-- Location ------------------>| coordinates        = {{coord|37|0|43|N|121|34|48|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[California]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Combined Statistical Area|CSA]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area|San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Metropolitan statistical area|Metro]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area|San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara]]
<!-- History -------------->| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = March 12, 1870<ref>{{Cite web
 |url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
 |format=Word 
 |publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |archive-date=November 3, 2014  
}}</ref>
| named_for          = John Gilroy
<!-- Government ----------->| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Greg Bozzo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofgilroy.org/341/City-Council|title=City Council &#124; Gilroy, CA - Official Website|website=www.cityofgilroy.org}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = [[City manager|City Administrator]]
| leader_name1       = Jimmy Forbis<ref>{{cite web |title=City Administrator - City of Gilroy |url=https://www.cityofgilroy.org/331/City-Administrator |website=cityofgilroy.org}}</ref>
| total_type         = [[City (California)|City]]
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 16.52
| area_total_km2     = 42.78
| area_land_sq_mi    = 16.51
| area_land_km2      = 42.75
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.01
| area_water_km2     = 0.03
| area_water_percent = 0.06
| area_metro_km2     = 6979
<!-- Elevation ------------>| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|277523|Gilroy|access-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref>
| elevation_ft       = 200
| elevation_m        = 61
<!-- Population   ----------------------->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name=quif>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/gilroycitycalifornia|title=Gilroy (city) QuickFacts|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=March 25, 2023}}</ref>
| population_total   = 59,520
| pop_est_as_of      = 2021
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2021/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2021-POP-06.xlsx|date=January 25, 2023
|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 25, 2023}}</ref>
| population_est     = 58,101
| population_density_km2 = 1380.75
| population_metro   = 1836911
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
<!-- General information  --------------->| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;8
| timezone_DST       = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;7
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 95020, 95021
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area codes 408 and 669|408/669]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info         = {{FIPS|06|29504}}
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
| blank1_info        = {{GNIS 4|277523}}, {{GNIS 4|2410591}}
| website            = {{URL|https://www.cityofgilroy.org/}}
| footnotes          = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 3576.18
| population_demonym = Gilroyan
}}

'''Gilroy''' is a city in [[Santa Clara County, California]], United States, south of the [[San Francisco Bay Area]].  It had a population of 59,520 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

Gilroy's origins lie in the village of San Ysidro, which developed in the early 19th century from [[Rancho San Ysidro]]. This land had been granted to [[Californio]] ranchero Ygnacio Ortega in 1809.<ref name="Gilroy History">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofgilroy.org/381/History-of-Gilroy|title=A Brief History of Gilroy &#124; Gilroy, CA - Official Website|website=www.cityofgilroy.org}}</ref> Following Ygnacio's death in 1833, his daughter Clara Ortega de Gilroy and son-in-law John Gilroy inherited the largest portion of the rancho, and began developing the settlement.<ref name="Gilroy History"/>

When the town was incorporated in 1868, it was renamed in honor of John Gilroy, a Scotsman who had emigrated to California in 1814, naturalized as a Mexican citizen, adopted the [[Spanish language]], and converted to Catholicism. These changes made him eligible to own land in this area of the Spanish Empire. In the process, he took the name Juan Bautista Gilroy.<ref name="Gilroy History"/>

Gilroy is known for its [[garlic]] crop, and is nicknamed the "Garlic Capital of the World". It is also known for boutique wine production, as part of the [[Santa Clara Valley AVA]], mostly consisting of family vineyards around the base of the [[Santa Cruz Mountains]] to the west.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.gilroywinetrail.com |title= Gilroy Wine Trail |work= web site |access-date= May 22, 2013 |archive-date= December 21, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191221152600/http://www.gilroywinetrail.com/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>

== History ==
===Spanish era===
Spanish explorers led by [[Juan Bautista de Anza]] first passed through the [[Santa Clara Valley]] area in 1776. More than 20 years later, Spanish missionaries established [[Mission San Juan Bautista]] in 1797 near the [[Pajaro River]]. In 1809, [[José Francisco Ortega#Family|Ygnacio Ortega]] was granted the {{convert|13066|acre|ha|adj=on}} Spanish land concession [[Rancho San Ysidro]].

The village of San Ysidro developed nearby, at the foot of [[Pacheco Pass]] which linked the [[El Camino Real (California)|El Camino Real]] and the [[Santa Clara Valley]] with the [[San Joaquin Valley]]. California's main exports at this time were [[California hide trade|hides]] and [[tallow]], of which thousands of barrels were produced and shipped to the rest of [[New Spain]]. Trade and diplomatic intercourse with foreigners was strictly forbidden by the royal government but was quietly carried on by Californians desperate for luxury goods.

===Mexican era===
During the [[War of 1812]], the armed [[Merchant ship|merchantman]] ''Isaac Todd''<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Isaac Todd |encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/isaac-todd |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=August 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803113715/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/isaac-todd/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was sent by the [[North West Company]] to seize [[Fort Astoria]], an American trading post at the mouth of the [[Columbia River]]. The ship, with a Royal Navy escort, departed from [[Portsmouth, England]], made its way around [[Cape Horn]] and proceeded up the Pacific coast of the Americas, stopping at Spanish ports for supplies along the way.

In January 1814, having fallen behind its escort, the ''Isaac Todd'' arrived at [[Monterey, California]], the Spanish colonial capital of [[Alta California]]. During the visit, ordinary seaman John Gilroy (a [[Scotland|Scotsman]] who had changed his name from John Cameron when he went to sea to avoid recognition) either (depending on the historical source) jumped ship<ref>{{cite web |title=Historical plaque |publisher=E Clampus Vitus Chapter 1850 |url=http://www.mountaincharlie1850.org/pl_gilroy_john.html |access-date=January 14, 2007}}</ref> or was left ashore to recover from [[scurvy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=San Francisco History - The Beginning |publisher=San Francisco Genealogy |url=http://www.sfgenealogy.com/sf/history/hbbeg12.htm |access-date=January 14, 2007}}</ref>

John Gilroy (1794–1869), also known as Juan Bautista Gilroy,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oac.cdlib.org/search?style=oac4;Institution=UC+Berkeley::Bancroft+Library;titlesAZ=J;idT=UCb112229852|title=John Gilroy papers, 1846-1853.|website=oac.cdlib.org}}</ref> spent the next few years moving around among the [[Spanish missions of California|missions]], pueblos and ranchos, plying his trade as a cooper (barrel maker). At first, by his own account in an 1856 letter to [[Thomas O. Larkin]], Gilroy was one of only two English-speakers resident in Alta California.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Everett Thomas Oliver Larkin |author2=Gordon Hager |author3=Anna Marie Hager |date=1951 |title=The Larkin Papers |location=Berkeley, California |publisher=University of California Press |pages=286–87 }}</ref> Eventually, he found his way to [[Rancho San Ysidro]], converted to [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]] and became the first naturalized English-speaking settler in Alta California. In 1821, the same year [[Mexico]] won its independence from Spain, Gilroy married a daughter of his employer, ranchero Ygnacio Ortega. Upon Ygnacio's death in 1833, the rancho was divided among his three children—including Gilroy's wife Maria Clara. In 1867, under U.S. property law, the Rancho San Ysidro (Gilroy) was patented to John Gilroy.

The settlement now known as "Old Gilroy" grew up around Gilroy's rancho complex and, after the end of the [[Mexican–American War]] in 1848, Gilroy served as [[alcalde]] of the village.<ref>{{cite web |title=South County towns' names rich in history |publisher=Gilroy Dispatch |url=http://www.gilroydispatch.com/printer/article.asp?c=4764 |access-date=January 14, 2007}}</ref> It served as a [[stagecoach]] station of the [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] and other stage lines in the late 19th century.

===American era===
[[File:USA-Gilroy-Wheeler Hospital-1.jpg|thumb|Wheeler Hospital, built 1929 in a [[Mission Revival]] style]]

Following the U.S. [[Conquest of California]] and the [[California Gold Rush|discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada]] in 1848, the trickle of immigrants from the eastern states and abroad became a flood. As many of the earlier Mexican and [[Californio]] landowners sold off their land, lost it to squatters, or were dispossessed through title hearings, the area around San Ysidro became known as Pleasant Valley. On March 12, 1870, it was officially [[municipal corporation|incorporated]] by the state legislature as the town of Gilroy (John Gilroy had died in 1869).<ref>{{cite web | title=A trip to the gold mines of California in 1848 | publisher=California, First Person Narratives | url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/calbk:@field(DOCID+@lit(calbk087div4))#N1-6 | access-date=January 14, 2007}}</ref> By then the town center had been relocated west of the El Camino Real (Old Gilroy is today a sparsely populated agricultural area).

Cattle ranching and timber from the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains were important to the economy for some time but, as in the rest of the valley, agriculture was the town's greatest source of income. During the 1920s, Kiyoshi "Jimmy" Hirasaki began growing garlic commercially in the Gilroy area.<ref name=cheek>{{citation |last=Cheek |first=Martin |title=The original Garlic King | newspaper=[[Gilroy Dispatch]] |date=July 25, 2005 |url=https://gilroydispatch.com/the-original-garlic-king/}}</ref> Referred to as the "Garlic King", Hirasaki continued to farm garlic into the 1950s.<ref name=niiya>{{cite web |first = Niiya | last = Brian | url = https://encyclopedia.densho.org/Kiyoshi_Hirasaki | title = Kiyoshi Hirasaki | publisher = Densho | access-date = November 22, 2022}}</ref><ref name=cheek/>  In 1979, the [[Gilroy Garlic Festival]] was launched. Farming remains significant, but in the 1970s the city began evolving into a bedroom community for [[Silicon Valley]] to the north.

There are a number of extant historical buildings dating from the mid-19th century. Built in 1857, the Christian Church at 160 Fifth Street is the oldest wood-framed church in continuous use in Santa Clara County. [[Blacksmith]] George Eustice's house at 213 Fifth Street was constructed in 1869; Eustice was an [[American Civil War]] veteran who fought at [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Gilroy Dispatch|date=April 3, 2015|title=Lessons of Civil War still speak to all of us|url=https://gilroydispatch.com/lessons-of-civil-war-still-speak-to-all-of-us/|access-date=January 17, 2021|website=Gilroy Dispatch|language=en-US}}</ref>  Samuel Moore was a long-time Gilroy [[postmaster]], whose home was built in the 1870s at 7151 Church Street.<ref>''Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory'', Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission, published by Santa Clara County, San Jose, Ca., June 1979</ref>

Nearby in the foothills of the Diablo Range to the northeast is the historic resort site [[Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs]], first developed in the 1870s (and now closed to the public).<ref name="CHL">{{cite web|title=California Historical Landmark: Santa Clara County|url=http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21522|work=Office of Historic Preservation|publisher=California State Parks}}</ref> In 1905, the [[Old City Hall (Gilroy, California)|Old City Hall]] was built in downtown Gilroy; in 1975, it was designated on the list of [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Aver|first=William E.|date=1975|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, Old City Hall|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/75000480|access-date=January 7, 2020|website=National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior}}</ref>

===2019 Festival shooting===
{{see also|Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting}}
On July 28, 2019, a [[Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting|mass shooting]] occurred at the 2019 [[Gilroy Garlic Festival]]. Three people were killed by the gunman and at least 12 others were injured. The suspect, Santino William Legan, committed suicide after being shot by police.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/28/us/gilroy-garlic-festival-shooting/index.html|title=At least 3 dead, 11 injured in shooting at Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California|author=Hollie Silverman and Amir Vera|website=CNN|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/active-shooter-incident-garlic-festival-california/story?id=64624542|title=19-year-old suspect identified in deadly shooting at Gilroy Garlic Festival|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Bonfante Gardens, Gilroy ,CA - panoramio - UncleVinny (5).jpg|thumb|right|Waterfalls at [[Gilroy Gardens]]]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|16.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|16.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and 0.06% is water.

Primary contributors to [[environmental noise]] include U.S. Route 101, El Camino Real, Leavesley Road and other major arterials. The number of people exposed to sound levels above 60 CNEL is approximately 4,000.<ref>C. Michael Hogan, Ballard George and Marc Papineau, ''Noise Element of the General Plan'', Earth Metrics, published by the city of Gilroy (1982)</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Fifth St Coffee at Gilroy, California.jpg|thumb|Fifth Street Coffee Shop|alt=A small building with white walls and a brown and white awning has the sign "Fifth Street Coffee"]]

Due to the moderating influence of the [[Pacific Ocean]], Gilroy experiences a warm [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csb'', bordering on ''Csa''). Temperatures range from an average midsummer maximum of {{Convert|32.3|C|F|order=flip}} to an average midwinter low of {{Convert|0.9|C|F|order=flip}}. Average annual precipitation is {{Convert|480|mm|in|1|order=flip}}, and the summer months are typically dry. Snowfall is rare; occurring approximately once every 20 years, it is light and short-lived. Summer months are characterized by coastal fog which arrives from the ocean around 10 p.m. and dissipates the next morning by 10 a.m. During summer afternoons, the maritime influence lowers and, as a result, Gilroy is much more prone to heat waves than nearby geographical areas to its north and west. Winter months have many sunny and partly cloudy days, with frequent breaks between rainstorms. The local terrain is not conducive to [[tornado]]es, severe windstorms, or thunderstorms.  The local climate supports [[chaparral]] and grassland [[biome]]s, with stands of [[live oak]] at higher elevations.

Average temperatures in December, the coldest month, are a maximum of {{convert|60.4|°F}} and a minimum of {{convert|37.0|°F}}.  Average temperatures in August, the hottest month, are a maximum of {{convert|87.2|°F}} and a minimum of {{convert|54.4|°F}}. There are an average of 7.7 days with highs of {{Convert|100|F|C}} or higher and an average of 16.1 days with lows of {{Convert|32|F|C}} or lower.  The record high temperature of {{Convert|115|F|C}} occurred on July 15, 1972.  The record low temperature of {{Convert|17|F|C}} occurred on December 22–24, 1990.<ref name= NOAA >{{cite web|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mtr|title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date = December 3, 2012}}</ref>

There are an average of 55.0 days with measurable precipitation.  The wettest year was [[1982–83 El Niño event|1983]] with {{Convert|37.76|in|mm}} and the driest year was 1977 and 2007, both with {{Convert|11.17|in|mm}}.  The most rainfall in one month was {{Convert|14.64|in|mm}} in January 1914.<ref name = NOAA/>

{{Weather box
|location = Gilroy, California (1991–2020 averages, extremes 1957–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 86
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 100
|May record high F = 106
|Jun record high F = 112
|Jul record high F = 115
|Aug record high F = 112
|Sep record high F = 113
|Oct record high F = 107
|Nov record high F = 94
|Dec record high F = 80
|year record high F = 115
| Jan avg record high F = 71.2
| Feb avg record high F = 76.4
| Mar avg record high F = 81.9
| Apr avg record high F = 89.0
| May avg record high F = 94.1
| Jun avg record high F = 100.1
| Jul avg record high F = 101.6
| Aug avg record high F = 102.1
| Sep avg record high F = 101.0
| Oct avg record high F = 95.3
| Nov avg record high F = 82.9
| Dec avg record high F = 70.5
|year avg record high F = 105.6
|Jan high F = 60.7
|Feb high F = 64.0
|Mar high F = 68.1
|Apr high F = 71.9
|May high F = 77.3
|Jun high F = 82.8
|Jul high F = 87.2
|Aug high F = 87.2
|Sep high F = 84.9
|Oct high F = 78.8
|Nov high F = 68.3
|Dec high F = 60.4
|year high F = 74.3
|Jan mean F = 49.4
|Feb mean F = 52.2
|Mar mean F = 55.3
|Apr mean F = 58.2
|May mean F = 63.1
|Jun mean F = 67.2
|Jul mean F = 70.6
|Aug mean F = 70.8
|Sep mean F = 68.7
|Oct mean F = 63.4
|Nov mean F = 55.0
|Dec mean F = 48.7
|year mean F = 60.2
|Jan low F = 38.1
|Feb low F = 40.4
|Mar low F = 42.6
|Apr low F = 44.5
|May low F = 49.0
|Jun low F = 51.6
|Jul low F = 54.0
|Aug low F = 54.4
|Sep low F = 52.5
|Oct low F = 47.9
|Nov low F = 41.6
|Dec low F = 37.0
|year low F = 46.1
| Jan avg record low F = 28.4
| Feb avg record low F = 32.4
| Mar avg record low F = 35.0
| Apr avg record low F = 37.6
| May avg record low F = 42.8
| Jun avg record low F = 45.7
| Jul avg record low F = 50.0
| Aug avg record low F = 49.7
| Sep avg record low F = 46.0
| Oct avg record low F = 40.3
| Nov avg record low F = 32.7
| Dec avg record low F = 28.2
|year avg record low F = 26.0
|Jan record low F = 18
|Feb record low F = 23
|Mar record low F = 23
|Apr record low F = 27
|May record low F = 31
|Jun record low F = 36
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 37
|Sep record low F = 30
|Oct record low F = 29
|Nov record low F = 23
|Dec record low F = 17
|year record low F = 17
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.55
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.27
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.59
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.30
|May precipitation inch = 0.56
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.15
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.00
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.03
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.04
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.85
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.74
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.69
|year precipitation inch = 19.77
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation days = 9.8
|Feb precipitation days = 9.8
|Mar precipitation days = 7.8
|Apr precipitation days = 5.1
|May precipitation days = 2.5
|Jun precipitation days = 0.6
|Jul precipitation days = 0.3
|Aug precipitation days = 0.3
|Sep precipitation days = 0.6
|Oct precipitation days = 2.8
|Nov precipitation days = 6.1
|Dec precipitation days = 9.3
|year precipitation days = 55.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA/><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00043417&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Gilroy, CA
|access-date = February 11, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1625
|1880= 1621
|1890= 1694
|1900= 1820
|1910= 2437
|1920= 2862
|1930= 3502
|1940= 3615
|1950= 4951
|1960= 7348
|1970= 12684
|1980= 21641
|1990= 31487
|2000= 41464
|2010= 48821
|2020= 59520
|estimate= 58520
|estyear=2023
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2000===
[[File:USA-Gilroy-Elks Building.jpg|thumb|Elks Building, built 1931|alt=A compact building with white walls, round windows, and a brown roof]]
[[File:USA-Gilroy-Saint Mary Catholic Church-4 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Spanish Colonial Revival]] style St. Mary Catholic Church|alt=A church with white walls and a brown roof]]

As of the [[United States 2000 Census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] }}</ref> there were 41,464 people, 11,869 households, and 9,590 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,615.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 12,152 housing units at an average density of {{convert|766.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 58.9% White, 1.8% African American, 1.6% Native American, 4.4% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 27.7% from other races, and 5.4% from two or more races. 53.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,869 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 14.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.46 and the average family size was 3.74.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.6% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $66,401, and the median income for a family was $80,371. Males had a median income of $45,759 versus $34,710 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $22,071. About 7.3% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.8% of those under 18 and 6.5% of those 65 and older.

===2010===
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0629504|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715025101/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0629504|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Gilroy city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Gilroy had a population of 48,821. The population density was {{convert|3,021.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Gilroy was 28,674 (58.7%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 942 (1.9%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 831 (1.7%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3,448 (7.1%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 111 (0.2%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 12,322 (25.2%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2,493 (5.1%) from two or more races.  [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 28,214 persons (57.8%).

The Census reported that 48,015 people (98.3% of the population) lived in households, 642 (1.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 164 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 14,175 households, out of which 7,111 (50.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,160 (57.6%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 2,212 (15.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 964 (6.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 996 (7.0%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 102 (0.7%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 2,136 households (15.1%) were made up of individuals, and 908 (6.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.39. There were 11,336 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (80.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.69.

The population was spread out, with 14,983 people (30.7%) under the age of 18, 4,514 people (9.2%) aged 18 to 24, 14,104 people (28.9%) aged 25 to 44, 11,122 people (22.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,098 people (8.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

There were 14,854 housing units at an average density of {{convert|919.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 8,624 (60.8%) were owner-occupied, and 5,551 (39.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 27,798 people (56.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 20,217 people (41.4%) lived in rental housing units.

=== 2020 ===
According to the [[2020 United States census]],<ref>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/gilroycitycalifornia/PST045222 Quick Facts. Gilroy City, CA]</ref> Gilroy is growing with a population standing at 59,520 and 17,023 households. This represents about 3% of Santa Clara County's population. The city's demographic breakdown stands at 58.3% Hispanic or Latino, 26.7% Caucasian, 9.9% Asian, 1.8% African American, 0.5% Native American and 19.8% from two or more races.<ref name="cityofgilroy.org">{{Cite web |title=Community Profile |url=https://www.cityofgilroy.org/355/About-Gilroy |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=Gilroy, CA - Official Website}}</ref>  The median household income was $116,206 and per capita income was $41,393. The average cost of a home was $778,300.<ref>{{cite web |title=Census profile: Gilroy, CA |url=https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US0629504-gilroy-ca/ |access-date=April 11, 2023 |website=Census Reporter |language=en}}</ref>

== Economy ==
Gilroy, along with [[Saratoga, California|Saratoga]], [[San Martin, California|San Martin]], and [[Morgan Hill, California|Morgan Hill]] make up the ''[[Santa Clara Valley AVA]]'', a designated [[American Viticultural Area]] for wineries and vineyards within the historic [[Santa Clara Valley]].

=== Top employers ===
The top five employers in Gilroy are: [[Gilroy Unified School District]], Christopher Ranch LLC, Saint Louise Regional Hospital, [[Walmart]], and [[Olam International]].<ref>City Of Gilroy, (June 30, 2018).”Comprehensive Annual Fiscal Review”.cityofgilroy.com. City of Gilroy. Retrieved January 1, 2020</ref>

== Arts and culture ==
[[File:Gilroy Garlic Festival 11 2018-08-06 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Gilroy Garlic Festival]]]]
{{see also|National Register of Historic Places listings in Santa Clara County, California}}

=== Annual events ===

* Gilroy Rodeo<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.gilroyrodeo.com/history |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Gilroy Rodeo |language=en}}</ref>
* Tamal Festival<ref>{{Cite web |title=7th Annual Tamal Festival and Car Show |url=https://visitgilroy.com/event/7th-annual-tamal-festival/ |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=Visit Gilroy |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Gilroy Garlic Festival]] (except 2020, 2022, 2023, & 2024)
Gilroy also has over 20 wineries and tasting rooms located along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail.

=== Public library ===
[[Santa Clara County Library District]] operates the Gilroy Library.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 2013 |title=Summer reading program kicks off |url=https://gilroydispatch.com/summer-reading-program-kicks-off/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |work=Gilroy Dispatch}}</ref>

== Parks and recreation ==
* [[Gilroy Gardens]], an amusement park.
* [[Christmas Hill Park]], features a playground, bike trails, and sports fields.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christmas Hill Park |url=https://www.cityofgilroy.org/facilities/facility/details/Christmas-Hill-Park-7 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Gilroy, CA |language=en}}</ref>
* Gilroy Sports Park, features a playground, sports fields, and bike trails.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature]], Gilroy is in {{Representative|casd|17|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|30|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=UC Regents |access-date=November 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201113744/http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Gilroy is split between [[California's 19th congressional district]], represented by {{Representative|cacd|19}} and [[California's 18th congressional district]], represented by {{Representative|cacd|18}}.

== Education ==

=== Public ===
[[Gilroy Unified School District]] operates seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools located in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Schools - Gilroy Unified School District 2022 |url=https://www.gilroyunified.org/about-us-and-contact/our-schools |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=www.gilroyunified.org |language=en-US}}</ref> Gilroy is also home to a college, [[Gavilan College]].

=== Private ===
* St. Mary's School
* Pacific Point Christian School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Mary School {{!}} Rooted in the Past, Educating for the Future |url=https://stmarygilroy.org/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Home |url=https://pacpoint.net/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Pacific Point Christian Schools |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Charter ===
* Gilroy Prep School<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navigator Schools |url=https://www.navigatorschools.org/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=www.navigatorschools.org}}</ref>

==Media==
The city is served by the local newspaper ''[[Gilroy Dispatch]]'', a weekly newspaper founded in 1868.

CMAP TV is a [[Public-access television|community accessible television]] internet channel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 20, 2003 |title=Community access video workshops available for local teachers |url=https://gilroydispatch.com/community-access-video-workshops-available-for-local-teachers/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |work=Gilroy Dispatch}}</ref>

Radio stations include:
*[[KBAY]] (94.5 FM), based in Gilroy with its studio in San Jose.
*[[KAZA (AM)|KAZA]] (1290 AM).

== Infrastructure ==
===Transportation===
==== Airports ====
Small general-aviation aircraft are served by the uncontrolled [[San Martin Airport]] (E16), located at [[San Martin, California|San Martin]], about six miles north of Gilroy. Commercial flights are served by [[San Jose International Airport]], about {{convert|36|mi|km|abbr=on}} away in San Jose.

====Highways====
[[File:Gilroy Depot - Gilroy California (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Gilroy station]] was established in 1869. The current station was built in 1917, and is served today by [[Caltrain]].]]

Gilroy is served by two major highways: 
* [[U.S. Route 101 in California|U.S. Route 101]]
* [[California State Route 152|State Route 152]]

==== Public transportation ====
* The [[Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority]] provides local buses and express buses to San Jose and [[Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vta.org/schedules/pdf/bus_rail_map_h.pdf |access-date=February 14, 2008 |publisher=Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority |title=Gilroy and Morgan Hill Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410143053/http://www.vta.org/schedules/pdf/bus_rail_map_h.pdf |archive-date=April 10, 2008  }}</ref>
* Gilroy is the southern terminus of [[Caltrain]], which operates four northbound and four southbound [[rush hour|rush-hour]] commute trains each weekday between the [[Gilroy (Caltrain station)|Gilroy station]] and the [[Santa Clara Valley]], [[San Francisco Peninsula]] and San Francisco.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://caltrain.com/timetable.html |access-date=February 14, 2008 |publisher=Caltrain |title=Caltrain timetable effective April 2, 2007}}</ref>
* [[Amtrak California]]'s ''[[Capitol Corridor]]'' will eventually stop at the Gilroy station as part of the [[Monterey County Rail Extension]].
* [[Monterey-Salinas Transit]]'s Line 55, which stops in Gilroy, is a rush-hour San Jose–[[Monterey, California|Monterey]] express bus that also serves as an [[Amtrak Thruway]] connection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mst.org/routes/55/index.htm |access-date=February 14, 2008 |publisher=Monterey-Salinas Transit |title=Line 55 Monterey - San Jose Express |archive-date=February 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216212312/http://www.mst.org/routes/55/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[San Benito County Express]] provides intercounty bus service to Hollister and [[San Juan Bautista, California|San Juan Bautista]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sanbenitocountyexpress.org/media/RedoneSpringGav08.pdf |access-date=February 14, 2008 |publisher=San Benito County Express |title=Intercounty Routes |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080410143053/http://www.sanbenitocountyexpress.org/media/RedoneSpringGav08.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = April 10, 2008}}</ref>

==Sister cities==
{{See also|List of sister cities in California}}

Gilroy is twinned with:<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2004 |title=Portuguese sister city in the works |work=Gilroy Dispatch |url=https://gilroydispatch.com/portuguese-sister-city-in-the-works/ |access-date=September 6, 2023 |quote=Gilroy currently has four sister cities: Monticelli d’Ongina, Italy; Saint Clar, France; Takko-Machi, Japan; and Tecate, Baja California.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 25, 2007 |title=Sister Cities' Reps Sweep into Town |work=[[Gilroy Dispatch]] |url=https://gilroydispatch.com/sister-cities-reps-sweep-into-town/ |access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[Angra do Heroísmo]], Portugal
*{{flagicon|PLW}} [[Koror (city)|Koror]], Palau
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Monticelli d'Ongina]], Italy
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saint-Clar]], France
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takko]], Japan
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Tecate Municipality|Tecate]], Mexico
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
*[[George Washington Kirk]] (1837–1905), Union Colonel of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] who died in Gilroy
*[[Enid Michael]] (1883–1966), American ranger-naturalist
*[[Gene Hildebrand]] (1887–1921), US national champion jockey
*[[Ivie Anderson]] (1904–1949), jazz singer<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cook|first=Richard|year=2005|title=Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia|publisher=Penguin Books|location=London|isbn=0-141-00646-3|pages=14}}</ref>
*[[Charles Gubser]] (1916–2011), United States House of Representatives from California from 1953 to 1974
*[[Reginald B. Desiderio]] (1918–1950), U.S. [[Medal of Honor]] recipient<ref>{{Cite web |title=Display Full Records |url=https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&tf=F&q=reginald+desiderio&bc=&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=2094687 |access-date=November 5, 2023 |website=The National Archives}}</ref>
*[[John Hudson (actor)|John Hudson]] (1919–1996), US Army Corps and actor
*[[William Hudson (actor)|William Hudson]] (1919–1974), actor
*[[Kevin A. Gilroy]] (1936–2013), United States Air Force colonel and mayor of Gilroy (1997–1999)
*[[Olga Talamante]] (born 1950), Chicana political activist and political prisoner
*[[Maryedith Burrell]] (born 1952), film and television producer
*[[Jeff Garcia]] (born 1970), quarterback
*[[Daniel Cormier]] (born 1979), mixed martial artist and [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] commentator
*[[Chris Gimenez]] (born 1982), professional baseball player
*[[Robert Guerrero]] (born 1983), professional boxer
*[[Jesse Delgado]] (born 1992), [[mixed martial artist]] and [[Collegiate wrestling|folkstyle wrestler]]
*[[Dustin Wolf]] (born 2001), professional hockey player

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gilroy, California}}
{{Wikivoyage| Gilroy (California)}}
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Gilroy, California}}
{{Santa Clara County}}
{{San Jose and Silicon Valley attractions|nocat=1}}
{{SF Bay Area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Gilroy, California| ]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Santa Clara County, California]]
[[Category:Cities in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]