Elon Musk’s SpaceX operations formally establish a new city in Texas called Starbase following voter approval
Starbase, located near the southern tip of Texas, is the official name of Elon Musk’s SpaceX activities.
Residents voted on Saturday to include 1.6 square miles of formerly sparsely populated land that SpaceX has been buying since 2012. Six people opposed the motion, while 212 of the 283 eligible voters—mostly SpaceX employees—supported it. Musk declared, “Starbase, Texas is now a real city!” after sharing the news on his platform, Twitter.
A mayor and two commissioners in charge of planning, taxes, and local matters will oversee Starbase. Nonetheless, a few locals have expressed their worries, claiming the business is harming the environment. In addition to a road called Memes Street and a massive bust of Musk, the region has witnessed the building of business housing, facilities, and even Musk’s home since SpaceX arrived.
Two other citizens with SpaceX connections were chosen commissioners, and the first mayor, SpaceX vice-president Bobby Peden, was elected without opposition. With fewer than 5,000 residents, Starbase is categorized as a Type C city and will have the authority to levy a 1.5% property tax. The government is presently considering a state measure that would give Starbase the authority to restrict access to neighboring Boca Chica Beach and close highways during SpaceX flights.
Concerns about trash and pollution have been raised by environmental activists in their criticism of SpaceX’s effects on the region. Although SpaceX contests the claims, company was fined close to $150,000 in 2024 for dumping wastewater.
