If you have not been to Gilbert lately, it can feel like a different place than it was a generation ago. Over the last 30 years, Gilbert has grown from a smaller, mostly suburban-agricultural community into one of the largest and most in-demand family towns in the Phoenix Southeast Valley, with a real downtown scene, major employers nearby, and a long list of parks and amenities.
Quick growth snapshot (then vs now)
Population
- 1996: about 54,935 residents
- 2024: about 288,790 residents
That is roughly a 5.3x increase in about 30 years.
Businesses (best available “count” plus a reasonable estimate)
- A commonly used Census “business count” is employer firms (companies with employees).
- 2022: 5,959 employer firms in Gilbert
- 1996 estimate (employer firms): about 1,134 (estimated by scaling today’s employer-firm-per-capita rate to the 1996 population; this is an estimate, not a direct historical count).
If you want a stricter historical business count (not an estimate), that typically requires a specific Census dataset slice (for “place” level in the 1990s) that is not always published cleanly for every year.
Why Gilbert became a top family town
1) A “complete community” feel
Gilbert has leaned into the things families care about: parks, trails, safe neighborhoods, and a town identity that still feels organized and community-first even as it grows. The Arizona Commerce Authority profile highlights extensive retail space, open space set aside for recreation, and a deep set of community amenities that support quality of life.
2) A real downtown and weekend culture
The Heritage District has become a hub for dining and events, giving Gilbert a “go do something tonight” vibe without needing to drive into central Phoenix.
3) Nature, trails, and outdoor time built in
Places like the Riparian Preserve and the town’s trail network give families easy options for walking, biking, birding, and weekend downtime.
4) Jobs and economic momentum nearby
Gilbert’s Office of Economic Development positions the town across multiple employment corridors, and current population estimates are around 289,000, with longer-term growth still expected.
What this means for BizFaves readers (and local business owners)
Gilbert’s growth is not just “more rooftops.” It creates:
- More year-round demand for family services (health, dental, tutoring, youth sports, enrichment, childcare)
- A strong market for home services (HVAC, remodeling, landscaping, pool service, smart home)
- Lots of opportunity in food, fitness, and local retail in activity-heavy corridors
A good BizFaves angle is spotlighting the “best of” lists that help new residents and busy families find trusted local providers quickly.
Suggested BizFaves post add-ons (optional sections)
- “Best family parks and splash pads in Gilbert”
- “Best date-night spots in the Heritage District”
- “Top kid-friendly weekend activities”
- “Local businesses new residents should know first”
Sources and helpful external links (copy/paste)
US Census QuickFacts (Gilbert town, AZ)
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/gilberttownarizona/PST045224
Town of Gilbert open data (population series page)
https://data.gilbertaz.gov/items/023078fc42da4a62aa7906d476d19a96
Arizona Commerce Authority: Community Profile for Gilbert
https://www.azcommerce.com/a/profiles/ViewProfile/63/Gilbert/
Gilbert Office of Economic Development: Demographics
https://www.gilbertedi.com/business/this-is-gilbert/demographics/
Gilbert Office of Economic Development: “This is Gilbert”
https://www.gilbertedi.com/business/this-is-gilbert/
Discover Gilbert (tourism)
https://www.discovergilbert.com/
You must be logged in to post a comment.