William Gilbert sold land to the Arizona Eastern Railway for a line from Phoenix to Florence, AZ in 1902, which sparked growth in the area. Gilbert became incorporated in 1920 and today is one of the fastest growing communities in the U.S. Southeast if Phoenix, Gilbert has an area of 72.6 miles. In its early, agricultural days known as the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World,” Gilbert has become a successful suburban community named the second safest city and the twenty-second best place to live in the U.S. Its famous old water tower is surrounded by the downtown shopping and entertainment district.

Home to a youthful population, Gilbert has residents with a median age of 33, 71% under 45 years old. Gilberts schools take pride in their average graduation rate of 90%. The median household income is about $85,000. The median home value is $334,000 per square foot.