Gilbert, AZ Community
Located just 22 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, Gilbert is nestled between Chandler, Mesa, and Queen Creek. It has the distinction of having the highest population of any area incorporated as a town rather than a city, in the United States. Gilbert has a current population of over 135,000, with more and more people calling Gilbert home each day.
Back in 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway was in need of donations of right of way to establish a rail line between the communities of Phoenix and Florence. A rail siding was developed on land owned by William “Bobby” Gilbert. Eventually a town sprung up around the railroad siding, and that town became known as Gilbert.
Gilbert became a farming area, with rich soil perfect for growing grains, melons, alfalfa and hay. During World War I, Gilbert became known as, “The Hay Capital of the World” because the town supplied the Cavalry with the much needed hay they needed to feed their horses. Cattle, sheep and dairy products were also staples of Gilbert’s economy.
Gilbert had a population of 500 in 1920 when the town incorporated. From 1980 to the present, Gilbert has seen a tremendous boom in population. Currently there are 1000 new residents moving to Gilbert each month. Today Gilbert is a modern city with a small town feel, and has a thriving business economy.