---
title: Gilbert, Ariz.
description: From a small village of 5,187 in 1980 to a 218,338-person city in 2014, Gilbert has been one of the fastest-growing places in the country.…
authors:
  - name: turnercowles
    url: https://money.com/author/turnercowles/
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    articles: 23
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    former_staff: true
published: '2014-09-19T17:42:56.000Z'
modified: '2019-08-20T15:09:02.000Z'
section: Real Estate
tags:
  - Arizona
  - Best Places to Live
  - best places to live 2014
  - gilbert
  - gilbert arizona
canonical: https://money.com/collection-post/gilbert-az-best-places-to-live/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
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![201410_BPL_22GILBERT](https://img.money.com/2014/09/201410_bpl_22gilbert.jpg)

From a small village of 5,187 in 1980 to a 218,338-person city in 2014, Gilbert has been one of the fastest-growing places in the country. Luckily its offerings have grown along with it. With a local history museum, great gourmet and Southwestern food, and annual rituals like dog-friendly “Barktoberfest,” there’s always something to do in this bustling, low-crime Phoenix suburb.

Health jobs are big in the area: Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Banner Health are two major employers, and Isagenix just announced plans to make the town its new headquarters. And at only 5%, Gilbert already has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Arizona.

Boosting Gilbert’s appeal is access to nature: the city is an easy 30-minute drive to Lost Dutchman State Park, and the stunning vistas of San Tan Mountain aren’t that much further out, either.

The downside, Gilbert’s public schools have had a rough go lately. The school board cut more than 80 positions during a budget crunch this year, and three administrators resigned. However, locals are hoping to see a turnaround with new superintendent Christina Kishimoto.

*[See homes for sale in Gilbert, Ariz.](http://www.trulia.com/for_sale/Gilbert,AZ/popularity;d_sort)*

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