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Beaumont, TX

Frequently asked questions

Beaumont, TX

Beaumont is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the seat of government of Jefferson County, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan statistical area, located in Southeast Texas on the Neches River about 85 miles (137 km) east of Houston (city center to city center). With a population of 115,282 at the 2020 census, Beaumont is the largest incorporated municipality by population near the Louisiana border. Its metropolitan area was the 10th largest in Texas in 2020, and 130th in the United States. 

The city of Beaumont was founded in 1838. The pioneer settlement had an economy based on the development of lumber, farming, and port industries. In 1892, Joseph Eloi Broussard opened the first commercially successful rice mill in Texas, stimulating the development of rice farming in the area; he also started an irrigation company (since 1933, established as the Lower Neches Valley Authority) to support rice culture. Rice became an important commodity crop in Texas and is now cultivated in 23 counties.

A big change occurred in 1901 with the Spindletop gusher, which demonstrated that a huge oil field lay underneath and adjacent to the city. With Spindletop, several energy companies developed in Beaumont, and some remain. The area rapidly developed as one of the country's major petrochemical refining areas. Along with Port Arthur and Orange, Beaumont forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Beaumont is home to Lamar University, a national Carnegie doctoral research university with over 14,000 students, including undergraduates and postgraduates. Over the years, several corporations have been based in this city, including Gulf States Utilities, which had its headquarters in Beaumont until its takeover by Entergy Corporation in 1994. GSU's Edison Plaza headquarters remains the tallest building in Beaumont.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 85.8 square miles (222.3 km2), of which 82.8 square miles (214.5 km2) are land and 3.1 square miles (7.9 km2), or 3.53%, is water. 

Beaumont lies on Texas' coastal plain, about 30 miles (48 km) inland from the Gulf of Mexico, 85 miles (137 km) east of Houston, and just south of the dense pine forests of East Texas. The city is bordered on the east by the Neches River and to the north by Pine Island Bayou. Before being settled, the area was crisscrossed by numerous small streams. Most of these streams have since been filled in or converted for drainage purposes. The island directly across from Riverfront Park is called Trinity Island. There are also three other islands in the Neches River around the downtown area/port: Harbor, Smith, and Clark. Beaumont is relatively flat compared to other Texas cities at 16 ft. above sea level. South of Beaumont, Port Arthur is only 7 ft. above sea level.

Beaumont places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with numerous facilities and programs promoting a healthy lifestyle. Institutions like the Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas provide comprehensive medical services to residents. The Beaumont Health and Wellness Center is a notable institution offering fitness classes, wellness programs, and resources for maintaining overall well-being. Beaumont's commitment to health extends to its medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services. The Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and other healthcare providers contribute to the city's reputation for providing top-notch medical care. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, World Gym, and Miss Fit Fitness.

Top sites in Beaumont, TX are Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, McFaddin-Ward House, and Beaumont Botanical Gardens.

Population: 112,193 (2023). ZIP code: 77706. Area code: 409. Elevation: 16 ft (5 m). Area: 85.8 square miles.

FAQs

Is Beaumont, TX a nice place to live?

Living in Beaumont offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Beaumont, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Beaumont and residents tend to be liberal.

Is Beaumont, TX expensive?

The cost of living in Beaumont, TX is 2% higher than the state average and 6% lower than the national average. Beaumont, TX housing is 19% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 7% pricier. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% more in Beaumont, TX than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 2% more.

Is Beaumont, TX safe?

With a crime rate of 50 per one thousand residents, Beaumont has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 20. Within Texas, more than 98% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Beaumont. In fact, after researching dangerous places to live, NeighborhoodScout found Beaumont to be one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Beaumont 

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas 

Beaumont Health and Wellness Center

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas 

Planet Fitness

World Gym

Miss Fit Fitness

Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum

McFaddin-Ward House

Beaumont Botanical Gardens

Niche

Rentcafe

Neighborhoodscout

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.