Found in Maricopa County’s southeast Greater Phoenix area, The Town of Gilbert, Arizona, incorporated in 1920, became one of the U.S.’s most rapidly growing towns. A stark change from its century ago humble agricultural roots which donned the nickname “Hay Shipping Capital of the World.” Gilbert encompasses 72.6 square miles, once an area comprised primarily of fields and rural expanse, this modern-day metro is now home to a suburb filled with community pride, booming with a diverse economy.

Gilbert, AZ Numbers

Population: Gilbert (258,935) is the sixth-largest city (since it’s technically a town, we’ll also say “municipality”) in Arizona by population, close to and in-between Scottsdale (262,222), at the fifth largest and Glendale (254,500) at number seven.
Zip Codes: 85233 85234 85295 85296 85297 85298 85299
Area Code(s): 480
Elevation: 1237 feet

Where Is Gilbert, AZ?

Gilbert, AZ, is surrounded by Central Arizona towns and cities Queen Creek, Chandler, Mesa, and Scottsdale in Phoenix’s East Valley of Maricopa County.

Beginnings & History of Gilbert, Arizona

The Town of Gilbert all began with its namesake William “Bobby” Gilbert. He, in 1902, sold a right-of-way through his land to the Arizona Eastern Railway. Mr. Gilbert’s land right allocation realized the railway company’s plans to connect Phoenix and Florence, AZ, with a constructed railroad line. The Town of Gilbert sprung up to life around the track’s spur line near a rail siding on Bobby Gilbert’s property.

How Old is Gilbert, Arizona?

The year 2020 marks Gilbert, Arizona’s Centennial, since incorporating as a town on July 6th, 1920. The Town of Gilbert celebrates a hundred years of its township, community, growth, and prosperity from 1920 to 2020.

Gilbert, AZ’s Growth Spurt

The Town of Gilbert was primarily a small farming community up until the 1970s and 80s. The town in the 70s, when the population was only about two thousand people, annexed fifty-three square miles of land after recognizing the need for growth similar to other nearby cities of Chandler, Tempe, and Mesa.

What Makes Gilbert, AZ Unique?

Gilbert, AZ, expresses individuality with its iconic historical landmarks, such as Gilbert’s Water Tower, built in 1927. Today, Water Tower Plaza and a vibrant Downtown scene with both modern shops and restaurants incorporated with historic buildings and public art called the Heritage District, make Gilbert, AZ, a unique place to live and visit. Gilbert clearly expresses its pride in honoring water as a precious resource with its ode to the Water Tower and by reclaiming 100% of its wastewater via The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch for over three decades.

Things To Do in Gilbert, AZ

The Town of Gilbert, AZ, provides a mixture of Things To Do in its fine city ranging from art and culture to shopping, outdoor recreation, nightlife, and diverse dining experiences.

Gilbert, Arizona Places & Attractions

From historic landmarks, special memorials, local hometown eateries, unique outdoor riparian preserves, urban recreational trails, charming artisan crafters & farmers markets, and art & cultural treasure troves, Gilbert, Arizona, offers a plethora of places and attractions for residents and visitors alike.

Local Food & Restaurants in Gilbert, AZ

The food and dining options abound in Gilbert, AZ. Offering many different cuisines and establishments from locally based, regional mainstay eateries, and national chain restaurants. Local produce and specialty farmers markets also found in Gilbert. Restaurants in Gilbert focus on all kinds of food and fare categories. Steakhouses, Sports Grills, BBQ, American Fare, Italian, Mexican, Vegetarian, Hawaiian BBQ, Tex-Mex, New York-style Pizza, New Mexican, Sushi, Korean BBQ, Pho, Chinese, Seafood, Hotdogs & Ice Cream.

Local Goods & Farmers Markets
Make With Love Market | Gilbert Farmers Market | Mother Nature’s Farm

Restaurants in Gilbert by Popular Foods

Gilbert Beer, Wine, Cocktails & Nightlife

There are some notable venues in Gilbert, Arizona, that serve a medley of craft beer, cocktails, wine, and nightlife scenes. Joints that range from a themed 1920s speakeasy, a whiskey specialty hot spot, an exclusive cigar bar, craft breweries, artsy wine bistros, and unique local bar & grill options.

Gilbert, AZ Art & Culture

The Town of Gilbert welcomes and encourages the exploration of art and culture through museums, galleries, memorials, and performing arts theatres as well as local community arts leagues, historical societies, art academies, programs, and events.

Gilbert Art Galleries & Events
Art Intersection | Gallery 4 | Art Walk

Museums
HD SOUTH | Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum

Performing Arts Theatres in Gilbert
Hale Centre Theatre | Higley Center for the Performing Arts

Gilbert Memorials
9-11 Memorial

Gilbert Art Venues & Studios
Music & Arts | The Art House | Board & Brush Creative Studio

Gilbert, AZ Parks & Recreation

The Town of Gilbert, AZ, has nine spacious city parks, fourteen neighborhood parks, and a multitude of recreational, sports, and special event opportunities for its residents and visitors.

Gilbert Parks encompass over 600 acres of open space. Varying amenities of dog parks, skate parks, riparian preserves, community fishing lakes, playgrounds, picnic ramadas, sports fields, and ice rinks, to name a few.

Gilbert, AZ Recreation Events
The Town of Gilbert hosts multiple community recreational events throughout the year. They range from holiday, local Gibert, and cultural celebrations to various sporting events, concerts, and drive-in movies.

Signature Events – Gilbert Days Events | Gilbert Global Village Festival | Gilberts July 4th Celebration
Sporting Events – Gilbert Glow Run | Gilbert Days Softball | Gilbert Outdoor Expo | Youth Fishing Day | KAPOW! Superhero Adventure Run
Other Events – Downtown Concerts | Veterans Day Ceremony | Riparian After Dark | Gilbert Symphony Orchestra | Truck-A-Palooza | San Tan Cinemas Drive-In Movies

Golf in Gilbert, AZ

There are several ways to get your golf game going in Gilbert, AZ, ranging from traditional public and private golf courses to the modern indoor/outdoor golf entertainment complex Topgolf. Most courses and venues complete with mountain views, water features, and unique challenges.

Public Gilbert Golf Courses – Greenfield Lakes Golf Course | Kokopelli Golf Course | Trilogy Golf Course | Western Skies Golf Club
Private Gilbert Golf Courses – Seville Golf & Country Club

Entertainment in Gilbert, AZ

Local Gilbert establishments, Arizona based commerce, nationally recognized conglomerate, and The Town of Gilbert itself provides numerous entertainment options for residents and visitors to Gilbert, AZ. From movie theaters, bowling alleys, entertainment complexes, performance art theatres, sports venues, to local landmarks exclusive to Gilbert, this town has something for everyone.

Gilbert Performance Art Theatres
Higley Center for the Performing Arts | Hale Centre Theatre | Freestone Park Amphitheater | Water Tower Plaza

Movie Theaters in Gilbert
Harkins San Tan Village 16 | Regal Gilbert Stadium 14 | Fat Cats Gilbert | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Gilbert

Entertainment Complexes in Gilbert
Top Golf | Main Event Gilbert | Bowlero Gilbert | Freestone Recreation Center

Gilbert, AZ Shopping

Whether its local handmade goods markets, specialty shops, well-known national retailers, AZ based commodities, or big box stores, Gilbert, AZ has shopping options for many types of consumers. Ranging from clothing, home goods, life essentials, health & beauty, recreational, gifts, souvenirs, and much more.

Gilbert Farmers Markets
Gilbert Farmers Market | The Farm at Agritopia

Local Gilbert Arts & Crafts Markets & Festivals
Made With Love Market | Gilbert Art Walk

Keeping It Local in Gilbert, AZ

There are several ways to keep it local in Gilbert, AZ. A big part of keeping it local in Gilbert means supporting local Gilbert businesses, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, and Small Business Alliances. Visit restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, salons, boutiques, entertainment venues, and retailers. Another way is to support the area’s non-profit organizations and independents bringing art, culture, and history to the community. Think local artists, museums, studios, and theatres. Also, keep it local in Gilbert by supporting the Town of Gilbert’s local events, programs, and celebrations.

Gilbert, AZ Private Event Venues
Another way to keep it local in Gilbert, AZ, is to host your wedding, group gathering, or celebration at one of its assorted city and private event venues.

Gilbert Fun Facts

Gilbert is home to the first Guinness World Record holder for the “Largest Goat Yoga Class.” That’s right, Gilbert’s own AZ Goat Yoga (the apparent original creator of the phenomenon Goat Yoga) set the world record on 2/23/19 with 84 goats and 351 people.
Lindsey Stirling, a unique musician, singer-songwriter, performance artist, who plays the violin while simultaneously dancing, grew up in Gilbert.
Gilbert has a small-town vibe and the population of a major city. Combine the two and Gilbert is one of the largest towns in the U.S. since technically Gilbert is an incorporated town, not a city.

Climate & Weather in Gilbert, AZ

It’s almost always sunny in Gilbert, AZ.

Average Temperatures in Gilbert by Season
Spring (March-May) – 83 High | 53 Low
Summer (June-August) – 104 High | 74 Low
Autumn (September-November) – 86 High | 57 Low
Winter (December-February) – 68 High | 40 Low

Gilbert, AZ Schools & Education

Gilbert Public Schools or Gilbert Unified School District #41 services public education for Pre-K to 12th grade for the Town of Gilbert, Arizona. Gilbert schools have earned several accolades and awards over the years regarding their quality of education. An abundance of private schools educating PreK, Elementary, Middle, and High also available in Gilbert.

Park University Gilbert is a university located in the Heritage District in Downtown Gilbert, AZ. Opening in Gilbert in 2018, non-profit, private Park University grants undergraduate Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees as well as Master Degree Programs.

Gilbert’s Local Industry & Economy

Various industries and companies call Gilbert, AZ home. The business sectors range from schools, healthcare, grocery, tech, marketing, construction, and retail. Gilbert’s top employing companies include The Town of Gilbert itself and Gilbert Public Schools.

Neighborhoods, Housing & Real Estate in Gilbert, AZ

Gilbert, AZ, has grown to nearly a hundred and fifty neighborhoods since its formation as an official town a hundred years ago. Among Gilbert’s neighborhoods are two huge communities, The Islands and Val Vista Lakes. They contain lakefront living with extensive human-made constructed waterways large enough for pontoons and boats. Val Vista Lakes has an actual swimming beach for its residents. There are also numerous golf course communities in Gilbert, both private and public. A lot of Gilbert neighborhoods contain amenities such as parks with grassy areas, playgrounds, picnic ramadas, walking trails, water features, community pools, recreational centers, and sports courts & fields.

There is a blend of housing options in Gilbert, whether you are looking to purchase or rent a home. Including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, luxury apartment complexes, and temporary vacation rentals.

Resale real estate and new home prices in Gilbert have varied over the years. Per the Realtors Property Resource, in June 2020, the median home value in Gilbert was approximately $365K, compared to Maricopa County at roughly $302K and Arizona at about $284K.

Life in Gilbert, AZ

The proximity to Phoenix and sought after lifestyle amenities make Gilbert, AZ, an excellent place to call home for people of multiple generations and situations. Gilbert’s stellar school system draws families with children. Commuters find Gilbert to be a centralized location close to two major freeways and major surface streets. Exciting nightlife, a hip downtown area, upscale and casual dining options, and an assortment of entertainment venues in Gilbert attract those searching for a lively social scene. Recreational opportunities also entice people to call Gilbert home with water preserves, fishing lakes, trail systems, large parks, playgrounds, pools, and sports complexes. A variety of beautiful neighborhoods and housing options helps with Gilbert’s livability appeal. Let’s not forget about Gilbert’s warm weather, making it a choice location to live either full or part-time! Hometown pride is abundant in the Gilbert community. Gilbert’s historical roots, small-town charm, and modern-day metro feel shine through via their local business owners, markets, events, shopping, and overall standard of living.