Gilbert, Arizona is located in the southern part of the Phoenix valley, and has a population of about 217,000 People. The climate in Gilbert is a desert one: very hot and dry in the summer with temperatures regularly reaching 100 degrees and a mild winter with temperatures in the mid-60s. Gilbert is a growing community; in fact, it was the fastest growing city in the nation. Gilbert was chosen the 36th best place to live in the country in 2010 and as the 24th safest place to live in the nation in 2009. It was an agriculturally based town just a few decades ago, and now it is a city that is affluent and sophisticated. Anyone thinking of moving to Gilbert will find a proud city that is family-friendly and embraces its small town flair.
Economy:
The median household income for Gilbert is considerably higher than the state average. The cost of living in Gilbert is lower than the national average. The unemployment rate in Gilbert is only 4.8 percent. The majority of top employers in Gilbert are in the health care and retail areas; however, Gilbert is home to a GoDaddy.com call center. GoDaddy.com is one of the largest internet companies in the world.
History:
In 1902, the railroad was looking to connect the city of Phoenix to Florence Arizona, location of the state prison. They asked for donations of land, and William Gilbert donated some land to the project. The area was a tiny agricultural area, and a town grew around the railroad siding. In 1912, a large Mormon population moved there to escape Pancho Villa's forces in Mexico. The town incorporated in 1920, but to this day it has not adopted a city charter, and is, in actuality, a town and not a city. Gilbert began to transition from a sleepy farming community into a modern city in the 70s, when the city council began to annex areas for malls and shopping opportunities.
Tourism:
Gilbert's Riparian Preserve has 4.5 miles of walking trails, fishing and is home to more than 200 species of birds. Gilbert has 40 miles of equestrian trails in and around it. The Hale Center Theater is the country's longest continuously running Theater Company. The Gilbert Historical Museum has exhibits tracing the history of the town. In April, Gilbert has its Gilbert Global Village Festival with an international bazaar, food and music. In November, there is Gilbert Days, where the town celebrates its history. In May, there is the popular Grand Canyon Sweet Onion Festival, which celebrates all things that can be done with an onion. Gilbert has golf courses and many parks. In addition, there is everything that Phoenix has to offer just minutes away.