Why do 1,000 new residents move to Gilbert, Arizona each month?

Gilbert is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the nation. And for good reason! For those seeking a dynamic, community minded environment, Gilbert has it all, delivering a contemporary suburban lifestyle bordered by the urban resources of the adjacent Phoenix.

Gilbert offers excellent freeway access. US-60 runs along the northern border of the Town, connecting to the other cities in the East Valley. The San Tan freeway runs directly through Gilbert from US-60 south, and west to the Interstate 10. Gilbert is only about 15 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Gilbert, Arizona has successfully maintained its small town feel and you will find the sense of community is focused on raising a family, quality education, plentiful leisure activities, and a fantastic business core. It is an excellent reference for businesses and residents alike. Gilbert was ranked #22 as the safest cities in US in 2006.

Gilbert and surrounding communities include parks, equestrian trails, golf courses, tennis courts, fishing, boating. Whatever your choice of lifestyle, Gilbert offers an excellent quality of life!

Town of Gilbert Population by year
1950	1,833
1960	1,971
1970	5,717
1980	16,920
1990	29,122
2000	109,697
2005	173,989
2006	191,517

Gilbert is centrally located in Arizona and was incorporated on July 6, 1920. In 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway asked for donations of right of way in order to establish a rail line between Phoenix and Florence. A rail siding was established on property owned by William "Bobby" Gilbert. The siding, and the town that sprung up around it, eventually became known as Gilbert. Gilbert was a prime farming community, fueled by the construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals in 1911. It remained an agriculture town for many years, and was known as the "Hay Capital of the World" until the late 1920s. Gilbert began to take its current shape during the 1970s when the Town Council approved a strip annexation that encompassed 53 square miles of county land. Although the population was only 5,717 in 1970 the Council realized that Gilbert would eventually grow and develop much like the neighboring communities of Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. In the last two decades, Gilbert has grown at a pace unparalleled by most communities in the United States, increasing in population from 29,122 in 1990 to over 191,000 in 2006.

I moved to Arizona in November of 1974 and have lived in the Gilbert/Mesa area ever since. I built my first home in Gilbert in 1987. I raised my three children in Gilbert and found this a very exciting place for all walks of life. The Gilbert School District was my main motivation to move from Mesa where my parents lived to Gilbert. Our first home was built by a local contractor, ALC Builders. I currently still live in Gilbert, Arizona and find this a fantastic place to raise your family, own your own business and be centrally located to so many wonderful resturants, shopping malls, parks, and recreational activities. Enjoy yourself in Gilbert, Arizona!

Top Things To Do In Gilbert:

Southeast Regional Library Located on a 127-acre site, the Southeast Regional Library not only offers books, videos, CDs and access to the web, visitors also have spectacular views of the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

The 110-acre Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is located at 2757 E. Guadalupe Road east of Greenfield Road, next to the Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert, Arizona. At the Riparian Preserve over 200 species of birds can be seen throughout the year. There are 4.5 miles of walking trails, and fishing at the recreation lake at Water Ranch. This unique area was designed to utilize recycled water to create community wetland wildlife sanctuaries for recreation, education, and research. The Riparian Institute also offers programs and classes to the public, like birds walks, kids camps and programs, and public viewings at the new observatory. Download Map

Heritage District An officially recognized and established historic area, the Heritage District marks the original Gilbert town site and is still the historic center of the community. The Heritage District includes one-of-a-kind restaurants, shops and offices.

The Hale Centre Theatre has a legendary heritage as the longest continuously running, privately owned and operated theater company in America. You can find it now in the Heritage District in downtown Gilbert, presenting a variety of theatrical performances.

Gilbert Town Square, an urban village created by Triple Five Arizona Development, features a 14-screen megaplex theater, retail shops and restaurants.

Gilbert Days November marks Gilbert Days, a unique, three-day celebration that marks the paving of Gilbert Road through downtown. Gilbert Days provides fun-filled activities for the entire family including the Gilbert Days 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run, a parade through downtown, and IPRA Rodeo action and carnival that takes places at Gilbert Rodeo Park.

Gilbert Historical Society Museum The town's history has been captured in the Gilbert Historical Society Museum. Located in a building that was once the original Town School at 10 S. Gilbert Road.

Freestone Skate Park From the novice in-line skater to the extreme skateboarder, Gilbert's 22,000 sq. ft. skate park offers features that accommodate all skill levels. The skate park located in Freestone Park offers free, non-supervised skating to visitors.

Freestone Park Gilbert's flagship park truly is a wonderful place to visit and play. Freestone Park features ball fields, sport courts, a train, batting cage concession, playgrounds and picnic ramadas for visitors to enjoy. Located at the park you will also find and amphitheatre, Gilbert's Skate Park and the Freestone Recreation Center.

Crossroads Dog Park This dog park is on the west side of Greenfield Road, south of Warner Road. The dog park hours are 6 a.m.- 10 p.m., seven days per week. 2155 E. Knox Road.

Cosmo Park is located at the northeast corner of Ray Road and the Santan Loop 202 in Gilbert. Hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park features a lighted fenced dog park.

SPORTS & RECREATION Outdoor recreation abounds in the area. Among the offerings are:

• The Arizona Cardinals (NFL Football)
• Phoenix Suns (NBA Basketball)
• Arizona Diamondbacks (Major League Baseball)
• Phoenix Coyotes (NHL Hockey)
• Arizona Rattlers (Arena Football)
• Arizona San Sharks (Indoor Soccer)
• Cactus League (professional baseball spring training)
• Professional FBR golf tournaments during the season
• Phoenix Greyhound Park Racing
• Phoenix International Raceway
• Golf Courses - 25 within 15 minutes
• The Fiesta Bowl

Schools in Gilbert and surrounding areas:

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Gilbert:

• CHANDLER/GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 6 miles; CHANDLER, AZ)
• MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 9 miles; MESA, AZ)
• SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 12 miles; SCOTTSDALE)
• RIO SALADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 13 miles; TEMPE, AZ)
• AL COLLINS GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOL LTD (about 13 miles; TEMPE)
• ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 14 miles; TEMPE, AZ)
• UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-PHOENIX CAMPUS (about 19 miles; PHOENIX, AZ)

Public high schools in Gilbert:

• MESQUITE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 3,034; Location: 500 S MCQUEEN RD; Grades: 09 - 12)
• GILBERT HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 2,996; Location: 1101 EAST ELLIOT RD.; Grades: 09 - 12)
• HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 2,347; Location: 4301 EAST GUADALUPE ROAD; Grades: 09 - 12)
• HIGLEY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,126; Location: 4068 EAST PECOS ROAD; Grades: 09 - 12)
• DESERT HILLS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 384; Location: 1515 S. VAL VISTA DR.; Grades: 09 - 12)
• GILBERT LEARNING CENTER (Students: 197; Location: 140 S. GILBERT RD.; Grades: 07 - 12)
• GILBERT NIGHT SCHOOL (Students: 65; Location: 140 S. GILBERT RD.; Grades: 09 - 12)
• WILLIAMS FIELD HIGH SCHOOL (Opened 2007 Freshman & Sophmore Only)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Gilbert:

• EVIT GILBERT (Students: 2,128; Location: 140 S GILBERT ROAD; Grades: UG - UG)
• GREENFIELD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,472; Location: 101 SOUTH GREENFIELD ROAD; Grades: 07 - 08)
• SAN TAN ELEMENTARY (Students: 1,185; Location: 3443 E. CALISTOGA; Grades: PK - 08)
• EDU-PRIZE (Students: 1,128; Location: 580 W. MELODY AVE.; Grades: KG - 08)
• MESQUITE JR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,034; Location: 140 SOUTH GILBERT ROAD; Grades: 07 - 08)
• GILBERT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,002; Location: 1016 N. BURK; Grades: 07 - 08)
• FINLEY FARMS ELEMENTARY (Students: 989; Location: 375 S. COLUMBUS DRIVE; Grades: KG - 06)
• CAROL RAE RANCH ELEMENTARY (Students: 968; Location: 3777 E. HOUSTON AVE; Grades: PK - 06)
• GILBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 950; Location: 175 W. ELLIOTT; Grades: PK - 06)
• SETTLERS POINT ELEMENTARY (Students: 900; Location: 423 E. SETTLER'S POINT DRIVE; Grades: KG - 06)

Private primary/middle schools in Gilbert:

• LA PETITE ACADEMY (Students: 308; Location: 700 S. ISLAND DRIVE WEST; Grades: PK - 4)
• CHRISTS GREENFIELD LUTHERAN SC (Students: 280; Location: 425 N GREENFIELD RD; Grades: PK - 6)
• HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 375; Location: 919 E GUADALUPE ROAD; Grades: K2-8th)
• SURREY GARDEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 100; Location: 450 E PARK AVE; Grades: KG - 9)

Nearest cities:

Mesa, AZ (4.7 miles ), Chandler, AZ (7.7 miles ), Queen Creek, AZ (10.9 miles ), Salt River, AZ (11.5 miles ), Sun Lakes, AZ (11.6 miles ), Tempe, AZ (11.8 miles ), Santan, AZ (13.6 miles ), Guadalupe, AZ (13.8 miles ).

References:

• Official Town of Gilbert website
• city-data.com
• www.ci.gilbert.az.us/busdev/profile/history.cfm
• USA Today

  Photo Collage Above:
  1. 1930's Flood in Gilbert 2. Town of Gilbert-Early Years 3. Hay Wagon - Gilbert was known as the "Hay Capitol of the World" 4. Power Ranch Planned Community 5. Everett Wilbur - Gilberts First Mayor 6. Downtown Gilbert 2007 - Heritage Square 7. Gilbert's Train Depot 8. Gilbert's First Bank 9. Early Years - Town of Gilbert 10. Oscar Phelps - Gilbert's First Marshall 11. Gilbert Mercy Hospital - (1st) Opened August/2007 12. Abe Cosby - Realtor and Insurance Agent 13. William "Bobby" Gilbert - Town of Gilberts namesake