In the earlier days of the polder, farmers occupied its lands for growing the crops necessary for long sea journeys by the VOC to the East Indies.

Because of its historical relevance, and as the original structure of the area is still largely intact, the Beemster was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1999.

[6] Justification for inclusion is as follows: In addition, in the Beemster Polder, there are five fortresses as part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The municipal council of Beemster consisted of 13 seats which at the last elections in 2018 divided as follows:[7] The last mayor was Joyce van Beek (CDA).

Elections were held in November 2021 for a council for the new merged municipality of Purmerend, that included Beemster, which commenced work in January 2022.