Beaumont, Alberta, Town, pop 8961 (2006c), 7006 (2001c), inc 1973 as a village and 1980 as a town. Beaumont is located 5 km south of Edmonton. The name Beaumont refers to the hill upon which the town is built. This area was settled by French-speaking homesteaders in the 1890s. In 1895 the Roman Catholic church established St Vital Church at Beaumont and the first post office was opened. The current St Vital Church, a local landmark, was built in 1919. The community developed as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area. In recent years the town has experienced some growth as a bedroom community for Edmonton and it is now primarily a residential community.