The small Texas community surrounding Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site has officially voted to incorporate as the city of Starbase, marking a new chapter in the billionaire’s growing presence in the Lone Star State.
Residents of Cameron County, most SpaceX employees, voted 212 to 6 in favor of incorporation. Only 143 votes were needed to pass the measure. Musk went to social media platform X to showcase his excitement towards the milestone.
"Starbase, Texas is now a real city!" said Musk.
The newly formed municipality, covering 1.6 square miles near the U.S.-Mexico border, has been largely shaped by SpaceX since the company began purchasing land in 2012. What was once sparsely populated terrain is now home to rocket facilities, employee housing, and even a road named “Memes Street.” A statue of Musk, recently vandalized, also stands as a testament to his imprint on the area.
“Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity’s place in space,” a post from the official Starbase account read.
Bobby Peden, a SpaceX vice president, will serve as the city’s first mayor, running unopposed alongside two company-affiliated residents elected as commissioners. Starbase will operate as a Type C city, an official designation for municipalities under 5,000 residents in Texas, which gives the city authority to levy property taxes and manage local governance.
However, not everyone is celebrating. Some nearby residents and environmental advocates have voiced concerns over SpaceX’s growing influence and its environmental impact. The company was fined nearly $150,000 in 2024 for wastewater dumping, though it dismissed the penalties as “disagreements over paperwork.”
A state bill currently under consideration could give Starbase leaders authority to close local roads and limit access to Boca Chica Beach during rocket launches, a power now held by Cameron County. County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. opposes the measure, warning it could spark disputes over public beach access as launch frequency increases.
Incorporation talks had circulated for years before a formal petition in December 2024 set the process in motion. Once the county judge certifies the vote, Starbase will officially join the map of Texas municipalities.
