City Town Info

Gilbert, AZ


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Gilbert, Arizona

Introduction to Gilbert, Arizona

Incorporated in 1920, Gilbert is a large town in central Arizona, located approximately 24 miles southeast of Phoenix. Other nearby cities include Mesa (approximately 15 minutes to the north) and Tempe (approximately 20 minutes to the northwest). The town’s population has skyrocketed from under 2,000 in 1970 to over 156,000 according to a 2004 census estimate.

Known during much of the early 20th century as the “Hay Capital of the World”, Gilbert was primarily an agricultural community until recent years. Concurrent with the town’s population growth, Gilbert has developed and transitioned rapidly to its present status as a modern suburb of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

Gilbert Arts and Culture

Gilbert is home to an annual “Gilbert Days” celebration in late November, a three-day festival in observance of the full paving of Gilbert Road through the town. Additional things to do in and around Gilbert include:

  • The Riparian Institute
  • The Hale Centre Theatre
  • Heard Museum of Anthropology and Primitive Arts
  • Gilbert Historical Museum
  • Heritage District
  • Freestone Park
  • Deer Valley Rock Art Center (nearby Phoenix)
  • Cave Creek (nearby Phoenix)

Included among the recreational facilities in Gilbert are two municipal swimming pools, two community centers, a recreation center, and 14 parks, one of which is a dedicated skateboard park.

For sports fans, there are many attractions within a short driving distance:

  • Baseball:
    • Cactus League - Several MLB teams hold spring training (March) at nearby sites:
      • Chicago Cubs (Mesa – approximately 8 miles away)
      • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Tempe – approximately 16 miles away)
      • San Francisco Giants (Scottsdale – approximately 20 miles away)
      • Oakland A’s/Milwaukee Brewers (Phoenix – approximately 24 miles away)
    • Major League Baseball (MLB) – Arizona Diamondbacks (Phoenix).
  • Basketball:
    • National Basketball Association (NBA) – Phoenix Suns.
    • Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) – Phoenix Mercury.
  • Football:
    • National Football League (NFL) – Arizona Cardinals (Tempe).
  • Hockey:
    • National Hockey League (NHL) - Phoenix Coyotes.
  • Lacrosse:
    • National Lacrosse League (NLL) – Arizona Sting (Glendale).
  • College: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
    • Arizona State Sun Devils (Tempe).

Nearby Tempe, Arizona is also home to both the NCAA College Football Fiesta Bowl and Insight Bowl.

High Points

Gilbert strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Arizona):

CategoryTrophy
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)		Top 6%Gilbert People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
(vs. State)		Top 7%Gilbert Median Family Income
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. Peers)		Top 9%Gilbert Low Rate of Poverty
Low Violent Crime
(vs. State)		Top 11%Gilbert Low Violent Crime
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)		Top 13%Gilbert College Educated Adults
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 15%Gilbert Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)		Top 19%Gilbert Well-Paid Single Men

Comparative Profile of Gilbert, AZ

Comparing Gilbert to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Arizona (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Children Under 5 Years Old1010
Male Share of the Population96
Well-Paid Single Men59
Racial Diversity57
Well-Paid Single Women49
Female Share of the Population25
Age of the Population23
Senior Citizens11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Portion of People Married109
Average Household Size109

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Above Poverty1010
People in Middle Class or Better910
Median Family Income810
College Educated Adults89

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Working at Home98
Walking and Biking to Work43
Short Commute Times32
Public Transportation Use27

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built1010
Seasonal and Vacation Housing92
Affordability of Property Taxes71
Affordability of Rents31
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals12
People Living Alone11

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime99
Low Property Crime46

Detailed pages on related topics: Gilbert travel • Gilbert mortgage and property.

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All States > Arizona > Gilbert

Additional Details

Gilbert Hotels & TravelGilbert Hotels & Travel
Gilbert hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Gilbert MortgageGilbert Mortgage
Gilbert property, mortgage, and real estate.

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