Elon Musk’s Starbase Set to Become Official Texas City After Local Vote Passes

Elon Musk’s dream of turning SpaceX’s launch site into its own city is one step closer to reality. Over the weekend, residents in the tiny South Texas area—mostly SpaceX employees—voted in favor of formally incorporating Starbase, Texas as an official city.

With just 283 eligible voters and strong company ties, the vote was widely expected to pass. Starbase, located near Boca Chica and already home to SpaceX’s key rocket launch operations, could now become Musk’s own high-tech company town—complete with the power to oversee roads, utilities, and possibly even schools and healthcare services for its residents.

But the plan isn’t without pushback. Local activists and environmental groups are sounding the alarm over proposals that could shift beach closure authority from the county to Starbase officials, limiting public access to one of the area’s few recreational spaces. Critics argue the move gives Musk too much control over public land and raises serious questions about corporate influence in local governance. With federal approvals still pending for a massive launch increase, Starbase’s future looks ambitious—and deeply controversial.