Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket launch site in South Texas has officially become a city — and it now bears a name fit for the cosmos: Starbase.
In a vote held Saturday, residents approved incorporating the area as a formal city by a wide margin, with 212 votes in favor and only 6 opposed, according to the Cameron County Elections Department. The area’s voting population is small and largely composed of SpaceX employees.
Following the announcement, Musk celebrated the news on his social media platform X, declaring that it is “now a real city!”
Starbase, Texas
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 4, 2025
Is now a real city!
Starbase serves as the primary launch facility for SpaceX’s advanced rocket programs, which are contracted by both NASA and the Department of Defense. These programs include ambitions to return astronauts to the moon and, eventually, to carry humans to Mars.
Musk first proposed the idea of turning SpaceX’s South Texas launch site into a city in 2021. While the concept raised eyebrows, the recent vote all but formalized a long-anticipated transition. Of the 283 eligible voters in the area, nearly all are believed to be tied to SpaceX.
Despite Musk’s recent slide in public popularity — partly due to his outspoken political stances and Tesla’s financial troubles — the Starbase vote marks a personal and professional win for the billionaire entrepreneur.
While local officials have generally supported SpaceX for the jobs and investment it brings to the region, not everyone is on board with turning the launch site into a privately-driven city.
Opponents argue that incorporating Starbase as an official municipality may give SpaceX greater authority over public spaces, including the power to close off Boca Chica Beach and Boca Chica State Park during launches or other operations.
There are also concerns over legislative efforts that would transfer control of road access and beach closures from Cameron County to the new city government, which would be led by SpaceX-backed officials. Proposed laws even include penalties for ignoring evacuation orders during closures — potentially up to 180 days in jail.
The South Texas Environmental Justice Network held a protest Saturday during the vote, drawing dozens of people opposed to the incorporation and beach access restrictions.
“I’m here because my family has used this beach for generations,” said Josette Hinojosa, who attended the demonstration while her daughter built sandcastles nearby. “Some days it’s closed, and some days you get turned away.”
Christopher Basaldú, an organizer and member of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, emphasized the cultural significance of the area, noting that his Indigenous ancestors have long lived where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Though SpaceX has provided few details about the decision, internal letters indicate the company already manages basic services in the area — including roads, utilities, education, and medical care. A 2024 letter from Starbase General Manager Kathryn Lueders said the company needs “the ability to grow Starbase as a community.”
Meanwhile, SpaceX is asking federal authorities to expand its permitted launch frequency from 5 to 25 launches per year, which would significantly increase operational activity in the region.
Starbase spans just 1.5 square miles at the southern tip of Texas near the U.S.–Mexico border and is dotted with trailers, modest homes, and launch infrastructure.
As the new city takes shape, the battle over public access, private power, and environmental concerns is likely far from over.