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.

In 2007, the US Census Bureau estimated that population of the town was 207,550. 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.

As of the census of 2000, 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.

Various religious denominations are represented in Gilbert, including 17.26% claiming to be Catholic, 11.12% Protestant and 5.06% Mormon. 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. 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.

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.