Is Gilberts Safe, Pros and cons of living in Gilberts

Gilberts, Illinois, offers a suburban lifestyle with a strong sense of community, nestled within Kane County. This village provides a blend of residential comfort and access to the amenities of the larger Chicago metropolitan area. With a growing population and a commitment to planned development, Gilberts presents an attractive option for families and individuals seeking a balanced living environment.

The community is characterized by its well-maintained parks, family-friendly atmosphere, and a generally liberal outlook among its residents. Its strategic location offers the tranquility of a smaller town while maintaining convenient access to major transportation routes and urban centers. This balance makes Gilberts a desirable place to live for those who appreciate both a peaceful home life and the opportunities of a nearby metropolis.

Is it Safe to Live in Gilberts?

Gilberts, Illinois, is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both national and state averages. The village boasts an A+ safety grade, indicating that its crime rate is substantially lower than that of the average U.S. city (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This exceptional safety record is further underscored by its ranking in the 94th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 94% of cities in the United States (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crimes in Gilberts are infrequent, with a chance of becoming a victim of violent crime being one in 3,025, which is a rate of 0 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates are also well below the national average, making Gilberts a community where residents are less likely to experience incidents like burglary, larceny, or vehicle theft (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The overall crime rate in Gilberts is remarkably low, with statistics showing it is 88.4% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing Market and Costs

The housing market in Gilberts presents a mix of opportunities for both buyers and renters, with a strong emphasis on homeownership. The median property value in Gilberts was approximately $347,300 in a recent reporting period (as reported by Data USA). The homeownership rate in Gilberts is notably high, standing at 94.8%, which is considerably higher than the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA).

For those considering renting, the median rent in Gilberts is around $1,901 per month (as reported by Data USA). However, other sources indicate a median rent of $1,900 as of March 2026 (as reported by Zumper), and even higher figures like $2,598 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zillow). Houses for rent in Gilberts tend to be more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $2,472 (as reported by Zumper).

The cost of living in Gilberts is generally higher than the national average, largely driven by housing expenses. Overall, Gilberts’s cost of living is approximately 23% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Housing expenses in Gilberts are about 56% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale), and utility prices are 5% lower than the national average. Transportation costs are also slightly higher, around 4% above the national average.

Job Market and Economy

Gilberts’s economy is supported by a range of employers, contributing to its growing job market. The median household income in Gilberts has seen significant growth, reaching approximately $146,333 in a recent period (as reported by Data USA). This figure is substantially higher than the national median household income of $80,734 (as reported by Niche).

The average salary in Gilberts is reported to be around $65,000 per year, or $31.25 per hour (as reported by Zippia). However, other salary data indicates a median wage of $44.4K per year (as reported by Indeed). The unemployment rate in Gilberts is not readily available in the provided search results, but the job market appears robust with a median household income that significantly outpaces national figures.

Key sectors contributing to employment in Gilberts include manufacturing, retail, and various service industries. Companies like Ryder System, Dunkin’, and Driveline Retail Merchandising are present in the area (as reported by Indeed). The village also actively promotes economic development through initiatives like Network Gilberts, which aims to facilitate business expansion and attract commercial, office, research, and light industrial development.

Climate and Environment

Gilberts, Illinois, experiences a climate with distinct seasonal variations, characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The summers are typically long, warm, and wet, with temperatures often exceeding 72°F from May to September (as reported by myPerfectWeather). July is the hottest month, with average highs around 82°F and lows of 63°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Winters in Gilberts are freezing, snowy, and windy, with average daily high temperatures falling below 40°F from December to March (as reported by myPerfectWeather). January is the coldest month, with average lows around 16°F and highs of 29°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The annual average temperature ranges from about 13°F to 84°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The village receives an average annual precipitation of about 39 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). June typically sees the most rainfall, with an average of 3.8 inches, while January has the least, with about 0.7 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Snowfall is common during the winter months, with an average annual snowfall of 36 inches, and January being the snowiest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

Gilberts is served by Community Unit School District 300, which provides educational opportunities for its young residents. Gilberts Elementary School is a key institution within the district, catering to students from Prekindergarten through 5th grade. This elementary school is highly rated, ranking within the top 30% of all public schools in Illinois based on overall test scores (as reported by Gilberts Elementary School).

Students at Gilberts Elementary School demonstrate strong performance in math and reading proficiency, with 42% achieving math proficiency and 39% achieving reading proficiency, both exceeding Illinois state averages (as reported by Gilberts Elementary School). The student-teacher ratio at Gilberts Elementary School is 16:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1 (as reported by Gilberts Elementary School).

Older students in Gilberts typically attend Hampshire High School or Dundee Middle School, which feed into Hampshire High School. Cambridge Lakes Charter School is also an educational option for residents within the district (as reported by Gilberts, Illinois – Wikipedia). These schools are generally well-regarded, contributing to the community’s appeal for families with school-aged children.

Demographics and Diversity

Gilberts is a diverse community with a population that reflects a variety of backgrounds. As of a recent census, the village had a population of 8,366 (as reported by Gilberts, Illinois – Wikipedia). Current estimates project the population to be around 9,075 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons) and a projected 8,951 in 2026 (as reported by Gilberts, IL Demographics).

The racial composition of Gilberts includes a significant White population, making up approximately 63.6% of residents (as reported by Gilberts, IL Demographics). Hispanic or Latino residents constitute about 24.4% of the population, followed by Asian residents at 6.5% (as reported by Gilberts, IL Demographics). A notable 14.3% of Gilberts residents were born outside the United States, which is consistent with the national average (as reported by Data USA).

The median age in Gilberts is around 40.6 years (as reported by Gilberts, IL Demographics). The community is home to a substantial number of families, with nearly half of the households having children under the age of 18 living with them (as reported by Gilberts, Illinois – Wikipedia). Residents tend to be liberal, and many families and young professionals choose to live in Gilberts due to its suburban feel and access to amenities (as reported by Gilberts, IL – Niche).