Gilberts, Illinois

Gilberts is a village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,366 at the 2020 census.

History

The beginnings of recorded human settlement in the area of Gilberts was recorded in the War of 1812, when General Scott began waging war against the native American tribes that inhabited the area, including the Blackhawks, Alconquin, and Potawatomi. Beginning in the 1820s, European settlement in the region began. In 1840, the Potawatomi sold their land and moved westwards, making the entire area now inhabited by European settlers. In 1852, Gilberts Station opened on the Galena & Chicago Union line to Freeport, named after the Gilberts, the largest landowners in the area. Specifically, Amasa Gilbert, a pioneer who was a part of the Gilberts family. In 1855, the Gilberts sold their land to Elijah Wilcox.

Opening in 1907, the Elgin and Belvidere Electric Company opened the "Elgin and Belvidere Electric Railway", connecting Elgin, Illinois to Belvidere, Illinois, with a stop at Gilberts. During the Great Depression, many businesses in the area went bankrupt, including the Elgin and Belvidere Electric Company in 1930. In 1930, Route 72 also opened up, connecting Gilberts to the outside world.

In 1988, George Bush visited the town during his election campaign.

Geography

Gilberts is located in northern Kane County. Most of the village is in Rutland Township, with a small portion crossing to the east into Dundee Township. The village limits extend north to the McHenry County line. Gilberts is bordered to the east by the village of West Dundee and the city of Elgin. It is bordered to the west by the village of Pingree Grove. It is also bordered to the northwest by the village of Huntley

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Gilberts has a total area of , of which (or 99.96%) is land and (or 0.04%) is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census there were 8,366 people, 2,655 households, and 2,240 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 2,699 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 67.13% White, 3.20% African American, 0.60% Native American, 12.87% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 6.04% from other races, and 10.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.88% of the population.

There were 2,655 households, out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.82% were married couples living together, 7.08% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.63% were non-families. 9.34% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.45% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 2.99.

The village's age distribution consisted of 30.8% under the age of 18, 1.2% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $96,420, and the median income for a family was $94,967. Males had a median income of $75,547 versus $46,797 for females. The per capita income for the village was $37,136. About 0.0% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.0% of those under age 18 and 0.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Gilberts is located in Community Unit School District 300. Children who reside in Gilberts attend Hampshire High School.

Gilberts Elementary School Is an elementary school for grades K-5. The school used to have a pre-k or preschool
program.
Hampshire Middle School and Dundee Middle School are the Middle schools that feed into Hampshire High School. Cambridge Lakes Charter School is also an option for residents in district.

Parks and recreation

Town Center Park

This is the new, large park that is now open. A parking lot is being installed which will accommodate over 80 vehicles.

The park is a space and will be home to many sports teams such as the YMCA's baseball and soccer teams.

Town Square Park

This centrally located park is near Lake Gilberts and features a new gazebo.

Memorial Park

Memorial Park offers the following amenities: baseball diamond, soccer field, playground, fishing pond, picnic pavilion, and a basketball court. It used to have a small skate park.

Waitcus Park

Waitcus Park features a baseball diamond, basketball court (1/2 court), playground, fishing pond and a picnic pavilion.

Sports

Gilberts is the home to the GPH Grizzlies Football Team that plays in the TCYFL. It has two Super Bowl runner-ups and two championships. The team was founded in 2008 and has 3 separate sides, Bantams, Feather, and Middleweights.

References

External links

Village of Gilberts official website

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Villages in Kane County, Illinois
Populated places established in 1890
1890 establishments in Illinois
Villages in Illinois