Starbase Liftoff: America's newest city gets its first mayor, and it's not Elon Musk

Starbase, Texas: Residents of Starbase, Texas—the coastal area where Elon Musk’s SpaceX operates—voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to incorporate as an official city.

According to Cameron County election results, 212 people supported the measure, while only six opposed it. Most eligible voters are SpaceX employees, and the new city will cover roughly 1.6 square miles near the company’s launch facilities.

“Starbase, Texas is now a real city!” Musk celebrated on X. The move formalizes what has effectively been a company town since SpaceX began acquiring land in the area in 2012. The city government will consist of a mayor and two commissioners, all of whom have ties to SpaceX.

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Bobby Peden, SpaceX’s vice president of Texas test and launch operations, will serve as the first mayor, while two other residents affiliated with the company will fill commissioner roles.

However, the decision has faced criticism from some locals who accuse SpaceX of environmental damage. Last year, the company was fined nearly $150,000 by federal and state agencies for wastewater violations. Critics also worry that incorporation could give SpaceX even greater control over the region, including potential restrictions on public beach access during rocket launches.

A pending Texas bill could grant Starbase officials authority to close a nearby highway and limit entry to Boca Chica Beach and State Park during launches—a move opposed by county leaders.

Starbase will be classified as a Type C city, allowing it to impose property taxes up to 1.5%. The area, once sparsely populated, now features SpaceX housing, facilities, and even a road named 'Memes Street'.