The area where Elon Musk's SpaceX operates on the southern tip of Texas will now be recognized as the city of Starbase after residents approved the incorporation in a recent election. Out of 283 eligible voters, predominantly SpaceX employees, 212 cast votes in favor, while only six opposed. Musk celebrated the achievement by announcing on social media, "Starbase, Texas is now a real city!"
Covering an area of approximately 1.6 square miles (3.9 sq km), Starbase was largely uninhabited before Musk's SpaceX began acquiring land in the region in 2012. The newly formed city's governance will include a mayor and two commissioners who will oversee local planning, taxation, and related matters. However, opposition exists, with some residents accusing SpaceX of negatively impacting the local environment.
SpaceX's expansion has resulted in the construction of company housing and facilities, while Musk himself has established a residence in the area. Notable local features include a road named Memes Street and a large bust of Musk that recently faced vandalism. Approximately 500 people are estimated to reside nearby.
The movement to incorporate Starbase had been hinted at for years, but a petition submitted in December 2024 was pivotal in facilitating the vote that occurred recently. SpaceX vice-president Bobby Peden has been elected as the city's first mayor, running unopposed, alongside two additional SpaceX-related commissioners.
Starbase will fall under the Type C city category, which is applicable to municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents, and will allow the local government to enact a property tax of up to 1.5%. Notably, a bill currently in the Texas state legislature could grant Starbase officials the authority to restrict access to Boca Chica Beach during rocket launches, a matter that may lead to tensions with Cameron County officials over local access issues.
Environmental activists have raised concerns over SpaceX's ecological impact in the region, highlighting issues like light pollution and debris from rocket launches. SpaceX faced a nearly $150,000 fine in 2024 related to wastewater disposal, a violation the company attributed to administrative discrepancies while asserting compliance with environmental regulations. As the evolution of Starbase unfolds, the future dynamics between the city, SpaceX, and surrounding communities remain to be seen.
Covering an area of approximately 1.6 square miles (3.9 sq km), Starbase was largely uninhabited before Musk's SpaceX began acquiring land in the region in 2012. The newly formed city's governance will include a mayor and two commissioners who will oversee local planning, taxation, and related matters. However, opposition exists, with some residents accusing SpaceX of negatively impacting the local environment.
SpaceX's expansion has resulted in the construction of company housing and facilities, while Musk himself has established a residence in the area. Notable local features include a road named Memes Street and a large bust of Musk that recently faced vandalism. Approximately 500 people are estimated to reside nearby.
The movement to incorporate Starbase had been hinted at for years, but a petition submitted in December 2024 was pivotal in facilitating the vote that occurred recently. SpaceX vice-president Bobby Peden has been elected as the city's first mayor, running unopposed, alongside two additional SpaceX-related commissioners.
Starbase will fall under the Type C city category, which is applicable to municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents, and will allow the local government to enact a property tax of up to 1.5%. Notably, a bill currently in the Texas state legislature could grant Starbase officials the authority to restrict access to Boca Chica Beach during rocket launches, a matter that may lead to tensions with Cameron County officials over local access issues.
Environmental activists have raised concerns over SpaceX's ecological impact in the region, highlighting issues like light pollution and debris from rocket launches. SpaceX faced a nearly $150,000 fine in 2024 related to wastewater disposal, a violation the company attributed to administrative discrepancies while asserting compliance with environmental regulations. As the evolution of Starbase unfolds, the future dynamics between the city, SpaceX, and surrounding communities remain to be seen.
