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  1. Blogs
  2. PHXEastValley's blog
  3. Gilbert AZ: Top Live, Work and Play City

Gilbert AZ: Top Live, Work and Play City

by PHXEastValley September 1, 2015

World-class companies and vibrant recreation make this the fastest growing city in Arizona

Ranked in the top 25 best places to live in the United States and the only Arizona city on the list, Gilbert has proven to be a preferred location to live, work and play.

Since the city’s inception in 1920, Gilbert has made a transformation from an agriculture-based community to an economically diverse suburban center, home to world-class companies, talent and recreation. Once known as the “Hay Capital of the World”, Gilbert has evolved into one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona with 130 homes being built per month, adding 400 new residents monthly.

Providing a quality of life for a thriving and diverse community, Gilbert currently offers three community centers, two public libraries, four public pools, seven golf courses and nearly 50 miles of trail system. In addition, the city offers 9.8 million square feet of retail and more than 600 acres of developed parkland, with an additional 258 acres to be developed in the coming years.

Recently named the No. 1 city in the nation for working parents and the safest city in the United States it is understood why so many want to live and relocate or expand business in Gilbert. Business development is booming with a targeted focus in the science, technology, engineering and math industries. Gilbert is home to many companies that focus on advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, bio-technology, clean technology and renewable energy.

Gilbert business cluster provides a hub for talent and innovation in the community including Orbital ATK, Lockheed Martin, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, GoDaddy, Celebration Stem Cell Centre and many more. Sixty-two percent of the region’s high-tech industry jobs are located within a 30-minute commute of the City of Phoenix.

“Gilbert has transformed into a thriving community with an active lifestyle,” said Roc Arnett president and CEO of East Valley Partnership. “As a key community in the PHX East Valley, it offers a competitive advantage for companies looking to attract and retain employees who are looking for an ideal environment to work, live and play.”

In the last three decades, Gilbert has seen tremendous growth, increasing in population from 5,717 in 1980 to 239,277 as of 2014. As the city approaches build-out over the next decade, the estimated population is expected to reach 330,000.

PHX East Valley is comprised of Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Queen Creek. To learn more about more about PHX East Valley or for more information on a city or business listed, visit www.phxeastvalley.org.

Regional Economy
Organization: 
East Valley Partnership
Clusters: 
PHX East Valley, Gilbert, EconDev, Innovation, Workforce
Regions: 
PHX East Valley
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The U.S. Cluster Mapping Project is led by Professor Michael E. Porter at the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Harvard Business School.

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.