Why do 1,000 new residents move to Gilbert each month? They’ve told us it is because of our “small-town” friendliness, great schools, pristine neighborhoods, and a thriving business community.

In 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway was asking 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.

Because of the area’s rich land, Gilbert became a center for growing and shipping cattle, sheep, dairy products, grains, melons, cotton, and alfalfa hay. During World War I, the cavalry needed an ever-increasing amount of alfalfa to feed their horses. Gilbert helped supply their need, becoming known as the Hay Shipping Capital of the World.

In 1920, the town’s 500 citizens incorporated, and Gilbert was officially born. Over the next 50 years growth was slow-to-moderate. Then, beginning in 1980, Gilbert experienced a population boom. In the last decade and a half, Gilbert has grown at a pace unparalleled by most communities in the United States, increasing population from 5,717 in 1980 to approximately 145,000 in July 2003.

Demographics
Population..........................................171,000
Projected Buildout.................................365,000
Location
8 miles southeast of Phoenix and 12 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Climate
May through September .........................100+ degrees F
October through April .............................75 degrees F
Median Household Income........................$68,032
Median Age ........................................... 30.1
Persons Per Household............................ 3.1

Government
Mayor and 6 council members

Employment
Total Employment ...............................22,952
Unemployment Rate ............................4.2%

Property Tax Rate
$12.9 per $100 assessed valuation based on 10% full cash value of residential property or 25% full cash value of non-residential property.
Sales Tax Rate
Sales Tax Rate......................................7.8%

Frequently Used Phone Numbers

Education
Foresight and sound decisions are the foundation for the excellence in education within Gilbert.
Gilbert Public Schools
Higley Unified School District
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Pecos Campus
Williams Campus
ASU Polytechnics
University of Phoenix

Links
Gilbert Chamber of Commerce

Town of Gilbert

Pool Regulations