# Gilbert, Iowa

Gilbert is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,211 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a part of the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area.

## Government

The current mayor of Gilbert is Mr. Jon Popp. Mayor Popp is an active member of the Lions Club. Mayor Popp served as a city council member from 2002-2007. He was elected for mayor in 2007, and has been re-elected for mayor since the year of 2009.
The town has two boards of appointed members—the zoning board and the parks and recreation board. There is also a zoning commission of members appointed by the city council.
Departments in the city include administration, library, parks, street, wastewater, and water.
Services sold to households and businesses include water and sewer.

## History

Gilbert was named for Hezekiah Gilbert, who owned the land upon which the town was built up. More information about the history of Gilbert can be found at the Gilbert Historical Society.

## Geography

Gilbert is located at 42°06′21″N 93°38′43″W﻿ / ﻿42.105858°N 93.645185°W﻿ / 42.105858; -93.645185 (42.105858, -93.645185).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.57 km$^2$), all land.
The landscape surrounding the city consists of rolling hills dotted with conventional farm buildings and livestock as well as row crop farming systems. Some suburban-style subdivisions lie a short distance to the south.
Gilbert's southern boundary is two miles north of the Ames boundary that was extended when the Ada Hayden Heritage Park was developed.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 1,211 people, 440 households, and 362 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,100.0 inhabitants per square mile (424.7/km$^2$). There were 451 housing units at an average density of 409.7 per square mile (158.2/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 2.9% of the population.
Of the 440 households, 46.1% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples living together, 3.6% were cohabitating couples, 16.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 10.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 17.7% of all households were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals, 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.
The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 32.4% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.0% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 27.8% were from 25 and 44; 26.5% were from 45 and 64; and 9.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.6% male and 48.4% female.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,082 people, 382 households, and 303 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,189.0 inhabitants per square mile (459.1/km$^2$). There were 390 housing units at an average density of 428.6 per square mile (165.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 1.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.
There were 382 households, of which 49.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.7% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.22.
The median age in the city was 34.2 years. 32.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 6.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 987 people, 337 households, and 268 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,195.6 inhabitants per square mile (461.6/km$^2$). There were 347 housing units at an average density of 420.3 per square mile (162.3/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 97.06% White, 0.71% African American, 1.52% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 337 households, out of which 48.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.7% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a single female head of household, and 20.2% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.30.
32.1% are under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $56,406, and the median income for a family was $61,184. Males had a median income of $35,313 versus $25,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,741. About 1.1% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

The Gilbert area is served by Gilbert Community School District. The Gilbert Community Schools consists of Gilbert Elementary, Gilbert Intermediate School, the Gilbert Middle School, and Gilbert High School. The grade structure is a K-2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9-12 system. The high school features an agricultural program unique to the area. A student interested in music will have many opportunities at this school. AP classes are offered here, notably calculus. There are also DMACC credits offered at the school, notably English composition. The school is close to DMACC and the University of Iowa State, and students may attend courses at these colleges for free. The town of Gilbert also has a public library.
Angela Bonthuis was awarded the Presidential Mathematics teaching award in 2020. Denise Carlson was awarded the presidential mathematics teaching award in 2001.

## Infrastructure
### Transportation

The main east–west road through Gilbert is county highway E23. Highway 69 runs north to south. Gilbert lies between Ames and Story City on highway 69. A Union Pacific rail line goes north and south through the city, crossing Mathews Drive.

### Parks and Recreation

The prominent parks are Lions Park, Banford Park, and Upstill Park. There is a walking trail along Upstill Park near the elementary. Upstill park has soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds. There is a museum on main street and two community centers in town. There are also many county parks in the surrounding communities of Story City and Ames. Ada Haden Lake lies to the South in Ames.

## Notable people

* Jerry McNertney - (born August 7, 1936) played in the MLB as a catcher in 1964 and 1966-1973.
* Christian Petersen - (1885–1961) sculptor and university teacher