Awards & Accolades
Gilbert, Arizona is a thriving community with a long list of awards and accolades.
We are proud of these achievements and continue to work hard to make Gilbert the best place to live, work and play.
National Accolades & Rankings
- Top 100 Places to Live in the U.S. (Livability, 2024)
- #1 City for Economic Growth, 250K – 500K Population (Coworking Cafe, 2024)
- #2 Fastest-Rising City in the United States (FinanceBuzz, 2023)
- #2 Best City for Renters (Forbes Advisor, 2023)
- #2 America’s Best Cities to Start a Side Hustle (LLC.org, 2023)
- #2 Safest Place Among 100 Largest Cities (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 2022)
- #4 Safest City in America (WalletHub, 2023)
- #5 Best Best Hidden Gem Cities for Snowbirds (Architectural Digest, 2023)
- #6 Best Place to Raise a Family (WalletHub, 2024)
- #7 Best City for Women (WalletHub, 2023)
- #7 Best City for First-Time Home Buyers (WalletHub, 2023)
- #7 Best Big City for Retirees in America (Stacker, 2023)
Complete Listing
- #1 Safest City for Trick-or-Treating (Chamber of Commerce, 2022)
- #1 Best City for Early Retirement (SmartAsset, 2022)
- #2 Safest Place Among 100 Largest Cities (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 2022)
- #3 Cities Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most (WalletHub, 2022)
- #5 Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving (WalletHub, 2022)
- #6 Best City to Raise a Family in the West (Dwellics, 2022)
- #6 Best City for Renters (Forbes, 2022)
- #7 Best City for Women (WalletHub, 2023)
- #7 Best City for First-Time Home Buyers (WalletHub, 2023)
- #7 Best Big City for Retirees in America (Stacker, 2023)
- #7 Best Place to Buy a House (WalletHub, 2022)
- #7 Safest City in America (WalletHub, 2022)
- #8 Best Place for Veterans (WalletHub, 2023)
- #8 Best Place to Rent in America (WalletHub, 2022)
- #9 Best Place to Raise a Family (WalletHub, 2023)
- #10 Best Place for Halloween (WalletHub, 2023)
- #10 Best City for Newlyweds (StorageCafe, 2023)
- #10 Best Place to Buy a House (WalletHub, 2023)
- #12 Best Big City to Live in America (Stacker, 2023)
- #13 Most Caring City in America (WalletHub, 2023)
- #13 Best Place to Raise a Family (WalletHub, 2022)
- #17 Best City for Pet Owners (Forbes, 2023)
- Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America (Healthiest Employers, 2023)
Arizona Rankings
- #1 Place to Live in Arizona (Ranking Arizona, 2022)
- #1 Median Household Income in Arizona (SmartAsset, 2023)
- #3 Arizona’s Healthiest Midsize Employer (Phoenix Business Journal, 2023)
- #4 Arizona’s Healthiest Midsize Employer (Phoenix Business Journal, 2022)
- #5 Best City to Live in Arizona (Strategistico, 2022)
Awards & Recognitions
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- Gilbert Fire & Rescue is Autism Certified (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, 2023)
- Gilbert Police is Autism Certified (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, 2022)
- Gilbert Parks and Recreation is Autism Certified (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, 2022)
- Cactus Yards Named Outstanding Park of the Year (USSSA, 2023)
- Cactus Yards Named Outstanding Park of the Year (USSSA, 2022)
- Crossroads Park Awarded Fields of Excellence Winner (Pioneer Athletics, 2022)
Complete Listing
- Engineer of the Year, Jeanne Jensen (Arizona Water Association, 2022)
- George Warren Fuller Award, Jeanne Jensen (American Water Works Association, 2022)
- Award of Excellence, Larry Taylor (Arizona Building Officials, 2022)
- Building Inspector of the Year, Andy Shrum (Arizona Building Officials, 2022)
- Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers, Sarah Rogowski (Arizona Water Association, 2022)
- Gilbert Police ALEAP Accreditation (Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, 2022)
- Gilbert Heritage District Guidelines Wins Downtown Achievement Pinnacle Award (International Downtown Association, 2022)
- Gilbert Heritage District Guidelines Wins Arizona Planning Award for Ordinance/Regulation/Legislation/Adopted Policy (American Planning Association, 2022)
Past Achievements
2021
National Rankings
- Top City Where Latinas Are Doing Well Financially (MoneyGeek, 2021)
- Best City for Small Business Recovery Since Pandemic (QuickBooks, 2021)
- Most Caring City in Arizona (WalletHub, 2021)
- Best City for Remote Workers (RetailMeNot, 2021)
- Best City for Apartment Amenities (AZ Big Media, 2021)
- 2nd Best City for Working Remotely (CommercialCafe, 2021)
- 2nd Best City for First-Time Home Buyers (WalletHub, 2021)
- 3rd Best City to Buy an Affordable Family Home (WalletHub, 2021)
- 3rd Best City to Buy a House (WalletHub, 2021)
- 5th Best Place for Veterans to Live (WalletHub, 2021)
- 8th Best City for Golfers (LawnStarter, 2021
- 9th Best Place to Raise a Family (WalletHub, 2021)
- 9th Best City to Flip Houses (WalletHub, 2021)
- 12th Safest City in the U.S. (WalletHub, 2021)
- 14th Safest City for Young Drivers (Driving-Tests.org, 2021)
- 15th Best City for Active Lifestyles (STORAGECafe, 2021)
- 15th Best Place to Go for Halloween (WalletHub, 2021)
- Top 25 Coolest Towns in America to Visit in 2021 (Matador Network, 2021)
- 30th Best City for People with Disabilities (WalletHub, 2021)
- 46th Best Place to Live (Money, 2020-21)
Awards & Recognitions
- Gold, Public Safety Training Facility Award: Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility (Firehouse Station Design Awards, 2021)
- Tree City USA (National Arbor Day Foundation, 2021)
- Gold, Public Safety Training Facility Award: Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility (Officer Magazine Law Enforcement Design Awards, 2021)
- Citation Award – Nonresidential, Excellence in Masonry: Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility (Arizona Masonry Council Architectural Awards, 2021)
- Gold Certified City for Data Management (What Works Cities, 2021)
- Best Neon-Lighted Drive: Gilbert Heritage District (Phoenix New Times, 2021)
- Best Design of a Parking Facility: Hearne Garage (IPMI, 2021)
- Sustainable Infrastructure Awardee: Desert Sky Park Phase 1 (The Metis Center at ASU, 2021)
- Outstanding Park of the Year: Cactus Yards (USSSA, 2021)
- Crossroads Park Awarded Fields of Excellence Winner (Pioneer Athletics, 2021)
- Honorable Mention: 2021 Digital + Social Media Awards (PR News, 2021)
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (GFOA, 2021)
- Best General Plan for Jurisdiction Population 50,000+ (APA, Arizona Chapter, 2021)
- Great Public Place Arizona: Gilbert Heritage District (APA, Arizona Chapter, 2021)
- Outstanding Industry Partner: Landscape Water Budget Program (Irrigation Association, 2021)
- Outstanding Public Official Award: Scott Anderson (APRA, 2021)
2020
National Rankings
- Most Prosperous Large City (Economic Innovation Group, 2020)
- Top City Where Millenials Are Buying Homes (SmartAsset, 2020)
- 2nd Best Place to Live in Arizona (HomeSnacks, 2020)
- 2nd City Whose Unemployment Rate Is Bouncing Back Most (WalletHub, 2020)
- 3rd Best City to Buy an Affordable Family Home (SmartAsset, 2020)
- 4th Best City to Work From Home (WalletHub, 2021)
- 5th Best City for First-Time Home Buyers (WalletHub, 2020)
- 5th Best Place to Buy a House in America (WalletHub, 2020)
- 5th Best City for Women Entrepreneurs (Fundera, 2020)
- 9th Best City for Veterans (WalletHub, 2020)
- 9th Best City for First-Time Homebuyers (SmartAsset, 2020)
- 9th in 2020 Digital Cities Survey (Center for Digital Government, 2020)
Awards & Recognitions
- 3rd Safest City in Arizona (SafeWise, 2021)
- COVID-19 Response and Overall City Government Experience (Center for Digital Government, 2020)
- Excellence in Built Environment and Excellence in Foundations of Livability (NRC and ICMA, 2020)
- Gilbert Parks and Recreation Earns CAPRA Certification, (National Recreation and Park Association, 2020)
- Crossroads Park Awarded Fields of Excellence Winner (Pioneer Athletics, 2020)
- Tree City USA (National Arbor Day Foundation, 2020)