In a significant development for SpaceX and its founder Elon Musk, the area surrounding the company’s launch site in southern Texas has officially been incorporated as the city of Starbase. This milestone was achieved following a decisive vote on May 3, 2025, where residents overwhelmingly supported the incorporation, with 212 votes in favor and only six against.
The newly established city of Starbase is situated in Boca Chica, near Brownsville on the southern Gulf Coast. The area spans approximately 1.5 square miles and is home to just over 500 residents, the majority of whom are SpaceX employees and their families.
Elon Musk first proposed the idea of incorporating Starbase in 2021, envisioning it as a hub for space innovation and a stepping stone toward human expansion into space. The incorporation is expected to streamline the development of amenities and infrastructure necessary to support the community and SpaceX’s ambitious projects.
The incorporation process began in December 2024 when several SpaceX employees filed a petition requesting an election to determine whether Starbase could become a town under the same name. Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño approved the petition, leading to the May 3 election. The successful vote marks the first new city in Cameron County since Los Indios in 1995.
As a Type C municipality, Starbase will operate under a commission form of government, consisting of a mayor and two commissioners. In the recent election, residents also voted to elect three current and former SpaceX employees—Bobby Peden as mayor, and Jordan Buss and Jenna Petrzelka as commissioners—who ran unopposed.
The incorporation of Starbase is expected to grant the city greater autonomy in managing local services such as roads, utilities, and public safety. Additionally, it may provide the city with the authority to close nearby Boca Chica Beach and state park areas during rocket launches, a point that has raised concerns among environmentalists and local residents.
Despite these concerns, the establishment of Starbase reflects Musk’s continued influence and ambitions in space exploration and infrastructure. The city is poised to become a central hub for SpaceX’s operations, including its collaborations with NASA and the Department of Defense for missions to the moon and potentially Mars.
The incorporation of Starbase also aligns with Musk’s broader strategy of relocating his business ventures to Texas. In recent years, Musk has moved the headquarters of several of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, to Texas, citing the state’s business-friendly climate and other factors.
In summary, the official incorporation of Starbase as a city marks a significant milestone for SpaceX and Elon Musk’s vision for the future of space exploration. While the move has been met with both enthusiasm and concern, it undeniably positions Starbase as a pivotal location in the ongoing development of space technology and infrastructure.
