Elon Musk's SpaceX operations in southern Texas are officially the foundation for a newly recognized city named Starbase. Following a decisive election on Saturday, local residents, predominantly SpaceX employees among the 283 eligible voters, approved the incorporation, with 212 votes supporting the measure against just six opposed. Musk celebrated the news via social media, proclaiming, "Starbase, Texas is now a real city!"
The new city spans approximately 1.6 square miles (3.9 sq km) of land previously devoid of significant population prior to SpaceX's land acquisitions that began back in 2012. Its governance will consist of a mayor and two commissioners, tasked with addressing planning and taxation, although debates have arisen from adjacent residents arguing that SpaceX has negatively impacted the area’s environment.
Since SpaceX's arrival in the region, residential buildings for employees and SpaceX facilities have emerged, alongside symbols of Musk's presence such as Memes Street and a large bust of himself, which has recently been vandalized. The estimated local population stands around 500. Speculation about Starbase's incorporation has circulated for years and was catalyzed by a petition introduced in December 2023, ultimately leading to the recent vote.
Bobby Peden, a vice-president at SpaceX, will serve as Starbase's first mayor, running unopposed along with two other SpaceX affiliates taking the commissioner seats. As a Type C city under Texas law, Starbase can impose property taxes of up to 1.5%. Legislative discussions are ongoing regarding whether Starbase officials could restrict access to Boca Chica Beach and Boca Chica State Park during rocket launch events, a move that has drawn the ire of some county officials including Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr.
SpaceX frequently conducts rocket launches at the newly minted Starbase, but environmental advocates have raised alarms over the company’s ecological footprint that reportedly includes harming local wildlife, increasing light pollution, and littering from launches. In a notable incident, SpaceX faced nearly $150,000 in fines in 2024 for wastewater violations, which the company attributed to bureaucratic disputes while affirming its adherence to environmental regulations.
The scenario at Starbase contrasts with Musk's other Texas locations, where the new developments focus less on housing for workers, as many commute from nearby towns like Bastrop, which is also home to Musk's corporate headquarters for his other ventures, X and Boring, located north of Starbase.
The new city spans approximately 1.6 square miles (3.9 sq km) of land previously devoid of significant population prior to SpaceX's land acquisitions that began back in 2012. Its governance will consist of a mayor and two commissioners, tasked with addressing planning and taxation, although debates have arisen from adjacent residents arguing that SpaceX has negatively impacted the area’s environment.
Since SpaceX's arrival in the region, residential buildings for employees and SpaceX facilities have emerged, alongside symbols of Musk's presence such as Memes Street and a large bust of himself, which has recently been vandalized. The estimated local population stands around 500. Speculation about Starbase's incorporation has circulated for years and was catalyzed by a petition introduced in December 2023, ultimately leading to the recent vote.
Bobby Peden, a vice-president at SpaceX, will serve as Starbase's first mayor, running unopposed along with two other SpaceX affiliates taking the commissioner seats. As a Type C city under Texas law, Starbase can impose property taxes of up to 1.5%. Legislative discussions are ongoing regarding whether Starbase officials could restrict access to Boca Chica Beach and Boca Chica State Park during rocket launch events, a move that has drawn the ire of some county officials including Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr.
SpaceX frequently conducts rocket launches at the newly minted Starbase, but environmental advocates have raised alarms over the company’s ecological footprint that reportedly includes harming local wildlife, increasing light pollution, and littering from launches. In a notable incident, SpaceX faced nearly $150,000 in fines in 2024 for wastewater violations, which the company attributed to bureaucratic disputes while affirming its adherence to environmental regulations.
The scenario at Starbase contrasts with Musk's other Texas locations, where the new developments focus less on housing for workers, as many commute from nearby towns like Bastrop, which is also home to Musk's corporate headquarters for his other ventures, X and Boring, located north of Starbase.
