Since January 2025, Elon Musk has moved on from his various business ventures to invest in the world of politics. The Tesla CEO was named as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency by Donald Trump, and he has been making headlines ever since.
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It has recently been announced that his SpaceX estate in Texas is set to turn into a real town, but what does that imply? Find out everything you need to know below.
Elon Musk's Starbase is about to become a real town
Over recent years, the billionaire has steadily moved his companies' headquarters from California to Texas, claiming the state has got more favourable regulations. Elon Musk's company SpaceX owns a massive property in Texas, which is set to become a real town, named Starbase. The decision was put to vote on Saturday, 3 May 2025, with a positive outcome. Most of the 283 voters were employees of SpaceX, and 212 of them voted in favour of Spacebase becoming an actual town. Six of them voted against, and the others abstained from voting. Celebrating his win, Elon Musk wrote on X:
Starbase, Texas is now a real city!
The new city spans over about 1.6 square miles, and it was sparsely populated before SpaceX began buying land in the area in 2012. Since then, the billionaire had many buildings built in the area, including housing for employees and SpaceX facilities. Elon Musk also owns a residence there, and the town includes a road names Memes Street, as well as a massive bust sporting the billionaire's face, which was recently vandalised. About 500 people are estimated to live in close proximity to the future town of Starbase, and according to BBC they have mixed opinions about the tech city.
Some residents are happy that new jobs will be created in the area and are looking forward to the growth that it can bring. A local real estate agent said:
I'm always going to be biased because I want the growth. But I love it here and I want to be part of it.
While another resident from a nearby town Bastrop said:
Residents are happy that their children and grandchildren will have jobs in the area.
On the other hand it can feel like we are being overwhelmed by a third party and that the development will quickly urbanise our area.
Others, however, have expressed their concern over the billionaire harming their environment.
Concerns over Starbase's impact
Environmental groups have criticised Starbase's impact on the land's wildlife, and the pollution that comes with launching rockets. Last year, SpaceX received a fine of nearly $150,000 (£113,000) by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for dumping waste water. The company claimed the fine was the result of issues regarding paperwork, and that it is dedicated to follow environmental laws.
The first mayor of Starbase will be Bobby Peden, a SpaceX vice-president who ran unopposed. Two other residents have also ran unopposed for the two commissioner seats included in the new town hall. According to the BBC, Starbase officials will be able to restrict access to the nearby Boca Chica Beach and the Boca Chica State Park during rocket launches and any other company activity.
This decision will forbid residents of nearby towns from accessing their beach and park, which may cause a stir with county officials. Indeed, SpaceX is planning on increasing its rocket launches at the site from five to 25 each year. Judge Eddie Trevino Jr, a top official in Cameron County, explained he would oppose the state bill that would allow Starbase to control access to the Boca Chica Beach and the Boca Chica State Park.
Read more:
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Sources used:
BBC: Elon Musk's Starbase in Texas will officially become a city
Telegraph: Welcome to Starbase: Elon Musk to get his own city in Texas
