Gilbert is a large town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It was founded on July 6, 1891 as a rail siding for Arizona Eastern Railway, and the town that sprang up around it was incorporated as the Town of Gilbert in 1920. Gilbert received its name from William "Bobby" Gilbert, the owner of the property that the rail siding was built on. From 1911 through the 1920s, Gilbert was known as the Hay Capital of the World. It is part of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
In 2007, the US Census Bureau estimated that population of the town was 207,550.[2] Although it is large and growing rapidly, Gilbert is still incorporated as a town rather than as a city. Gilbert was also the fastest-growing place among all cities and towns in Arizona of any size between 1990 and 2000. The center of population of Arizona is located in Gilbert.[3]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.2 square miles (111.9 km²), of which, 43.0 square miles (111.3 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000,[4] there were 109,697 people, 35,405 households, and 28,925 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,553.7 people per square mile (985.9/km²). There were 37,007 housing units at an average density of 861.5/sq mi (332.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 85.73% White, 2.41% Black or African American, 0.62% Native American, 3.59% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 4.77% from other races, and 2.77% from two or more races. 11.87% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
There were 35,405 households out of which 50.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 12.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.42.
The age distribution was 34.2% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 37.8% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.
According to the US Census Bureau's 2007 American Community Survey estimates, the median income for a household in the town was $79,976, and the median income for a family was $87,412. Males had a median income of $60,962 versus $41,972 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,068. About 3.3% of families and 4.6% of individuals in the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.[5]
Various religious denominations are represented in Gilbert, including 17.26% claiming to be Catholic, 11.12% Protestant and 5.06% Mormon.[citation needed] The town has been known for its high Mormon population, a fact evidenced by the LDS church's recent announcement to construct a temple in Gilbert.[6][7] Gilbert is also rated as a town of relatively low crime. According to FBI records, Gilbert was the largest city in the United States with zero murders in 2005.[8]
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1920 |
865 |
|
—
|
| 1930 |
791 |
|
−8.6% |
| 1940 |
837 |
|
5.8% |
| 1950 |
1,114 |
|
33.1% |
| 1960 |
1,833 |
|
64.5% |
| 1970 |
1,971 |
|
7.5% |
| 1980 |
5,717 |
|
190.1% |
| 1990 |
29,188 |
|
410.5% |
| 2000 |
109,697 |
|
275.8% |
| Est. 2007 |
207,550 |
|
89.2% |
Politics
Gilbert, Arizona is a predominantly Republican and politically conservative community that markets itself as family-friendly. The town is part of the sixth congressional district of Arizona, which is represented by Republican Jeff Flake.[9] The Mayor of the Town of Gilbert is John Lewis. On March 10, 2009, the Town Council primary election took place.[citation needed]
Education
Most of Gilbert is zoned to schools in the Gilbert Unified School District, while other portions are zoned to districts including the Chandler Unified School District, Mesa Public Schools, the Queen Creek Unified School District, and the Higley Unified School District
Transportation
Gilbert is served by one area freeway -- the Santan Freeway portion of the Loop 202 beltway around the East Valley. Several major arterials also serve the area, including Williams Field Road, Chandler Boulevard, and Gilbert Road. The town enjoys relative closeness to Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport, which is located in east Mesa; and is a twenty-five minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Recently, a park-and-ride facility was constructed in downtown Gilbert for bus service and future commuter rail service. Although the facility borders the Union Pacific (formerly Southern Pacific) tracks and has provisions for commuter rail service, there is currently no such service. However, buses operate to downtown Phoenix from here, and future commuter rail service to Gilbert will require little modification since most of the facilities are already built.[citation needed]
Sister cities
Gilbert has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:
Notable natives and residents
- Ashley Sexton, lived in Gilbert, Arizona before moving to New York to become the fashion designer known for her provocative TheSex line of clothing.
- Jim Bechtel, professional poker player, World Champion of Poker in 1993, lives in Gilbert, Arizona.
- Dave Burba currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona. He was a former star pitcher of the late 1990s Indians teams.[citation needed]
- Shad Chadwick, team roping (Heeler) and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Resistol team roping Rookie of the Year for 1995, attended Gilbert High School.[10]
- Marquis Cooper, former linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Oakland Raiders played for Highland High School and was drafted in the third round (79th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On March 1, 2009, Cooper and three other men went missing after their boat capsized in rough seas near Clearwater, Florida. Cooper and two of the men are now presumed to be dead.[11]
- Bruce Perkins, running back in NFL for 2 years in 1990-91 lives in Gilbert.[citation needed]
- Ken Delo, American singer best known for The Lawrence Welk Show, lives in Gilbert.[citation needed]
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills played for Highland High School and made his NFL debut on November 27, 2005.[12][13]
- Jineane Ford, Miss USA 1980, former television actress and news anchor KTVK-TV, KPNX-TV[citation needed]
- Alan Gordon plays striker for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer and was born in Gilbert on October 16, 1981.[citation needed]
- Shea Hillenbrand, All-Star MLB player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, raises horses and other animals on a ranch in Gilbert with his family.[citation needed]
- Darrin Jackson, MLB outfielder from 1985-1999; has been a TV broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox since 2001. Currently lives in Gilbert even though he's a native of Los Angeles.[citation needed] *Naomi Lang, 5 time US ice dance champion and 2002 US Olympic Figure Skating team member; also the first Native American (Karuk tribe) woman to compete in the Winter Olympics currently resides in Gilbert.
- Zach Lind, drummer of Jimmy Eat World, lives in Gilbert.[citation needed]
- Carlos I. Noriega, NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel lives in Gilbert.[14]
- Phil (Kemo) Ortega, MLB pitcher from 1960-1969, was born in Gilbert on October 7, 1939.[15]
- Roy Wayne Farris, an American Pro Wrestler (better known by his ring name, "The Honky Tonk Man"), lives in Gilbert[citation needed]
- Kimberly Joiner, Miss Arizona USA 2008, raised in and still lives in Gilbert
Groups
Gallery
Town Hall building at the Civic Center
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|
A waterfront in the Val Vista Lakes Community in Gilbert
|
Photo of the Gilbert Fire Department Station #1
|
The Hale Centre Theatre from the South side of Page Ave
|
A view of the South West Corner of Gilbert Road and Page Avenue in Gilbert Arizona. In the background is the Liberty Market and the iconic Gilbert water tower.
|
Photo of the water tower in Downtown Gilbert, Arizona and the Water Tower Park below.
|
A photo of the Commons building at the Gilbert Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona
|
Photo on the south side of the Freestone Recreation Center in Gilbert, Arizona
|
Photo at SanTan Village looking north towards the Macy's department store on Paseo Drive in Gilbert, Arizona
|
Photo at SanTan Village looking east towards the Harkins Theaters on SanTan Plaza in Gilbert, Arizona
|
|
References
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places" (CSV). 2006 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. July 1, 2006. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2006-all.csv. Retrieved July 4 2007.
- ^ a b "Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Arizona". United States Census Bureau. 2008-07-10. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-04.csv. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ Population and Population Centers by State: 2000 (.txt text file), United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Gilbert town, Arizona", Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2009-01-14
- ^ "Gilbert town, Arizona", 2005-2007 American Community Survey. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2009-01-14
- ^ LDS Church announces two new temples in Arizona - Salt Lake Tribune
- ^ Gilbert Arizona Temple, ldschurchtemples.com. Last accessed on 2008-04-27.
- ^ Offenses Known to Law Enforcement, by State, By City, 2005 (Microsoft Excel file format document) - Federal Bureau of Investigation
- ^ US Congressman Jeff Flake
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/prorodeo/features/bio?page=g_bio_PRCA_Chadwick_Shad
- ^ NFL Players
- ^ NFL Players
- ^ Los Angeles Galaxy: Roster: Player Bio
- ^ Astronaut Bio: Carlos I. Noriega (1/2008)
- ^ Phil Ortega Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com
External links
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