TL/DR –
Gilbert, in Arizona, is the largest town in America and has experienced significant growth over the last 30 years. Despite its size, Gilbert has no plans to become a city, with current mayor Brigette Peterson stating that the residents appreciate the small town feel. The distinction between being a town and a city lies in electing council members and legislative control over municipal affairs, but poses few legal obstacles for Gilbert.
Gilbert: America’s Largest Town with No Plans to Upgrade to a City
Gilbert, Arizona, holds the record as the largest town in America, and it’s proud of that status. Despite having a population that nearly surpasses St. Louis, Missouri, Gilbert resists the label of a city.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Gilbert has outgrown neighboring cities like Glendale and Scottsdale due to its rapid expansion over the past 30 years.
Originally known as the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World,” Gilbert transformed from a small railroad spur town of about 5,000 to America’s largest town. But does being a town instead of a city make any difference?
William Gilbert’s land was essential for the Arizona Eastern Railway to connect Phoenix to Pinal County. He agreed to provide this land on the condition that the spur be named after him. In 1902, businesses began to flourish around the Gilbert spur.
WWI had a significant impact on Gilbert’s growth. As Denise Lopez, HD South’s President and CEO, explained, WWI was a “war fought on horseback,” and Gilbert, a productive area for alfalfa, became the ‘Hay Shipping Capital of the World.’
Despite its significance during WWI, Gilbert remained a small community with less than 2,000 residents until 1970. However, as neighboring cities grew, Gilbert’s leadership saw the need to protect their town’s boundaries.
In the 1970s, Mayor Dale Halleck and the town council embarked on a campaign of annexation, shaping the town’s unique borders and providing Gilbert with about 50 square miles of land. By 1980, the town had a respectable 5,700 residents.
Following the connection of the Superstition Freeway to Gilbert Road in 1981, the town became an appealing residential area for people working in Phoenix’s urban center. The population exploded fivefold to approximately 29,100 people by 1990.
Despite its size, Gilbert never incorporated as a city. Although it doesn’t bring any legal obstacles, the town instead of city status is more about identity. As Lopez points out, “We’re still a small town. We still really harbor that small town feel, which is really important to our residents and our community here.”
Even with the town’s centennial in 2020, becoming a city was not on the agenda. As Mayor Peterson stated, “We are staying a town as far as I’m concerned. I haven’t had anyone come up to me and ask us if we would like to change to a city.”
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