Elon Musk and SpaceX Want Starbase To Become A City In Texas

Is Texas about to get a new city? If Elon Musk gets his way, and he often does, there will be a new city where SpaceX stands today.

According to the Associated Press, Elon Musk wants what has been dubbed Starbase, to become a real Texas city. Since SpaceX has arrived along the Texas coast, thousands of jobs have been created and home have been built nearby. Tourist flock to Starbase to see rockets being fired into the sky.

Last week Elon Musk took to X (formally Twitter) and wrote that "SpaceX HQ will now officially be in the city of Starbase, Texas". But just because Elon declared it so, doesn't mean it's actually official.

How Does Starbase Become A City?

SpaceX is located in Cameron County and last week a petition was submitted for Starbase to become an official city. Now it's up to county officials to make sure the petition followed all the necessary requirements. The county would then have to create the jurisdiction and who would get to vote. After that would come the actual vote. According to the AP, no timetable has been set for the any of this.

The AP reported that more than 3,400 full time SpaceX employees and contractors work at Starbase, but there are no reports on how many live near Starbase.

In a letter to Cameron County officials, Musk outlined why Starbase should become an incorporated city according to The Texan News.

“SpaceX is proud to play a major role in the South Texas and Cameron County communities, which are home to thousands of our employees, with several hundred living at Starbase,” the letter explains.

“As you know,” the letter continues, “through agreements with the County, SpaceX currently performs several civil functions around Starbase due to its remote location, including management of the roads, utilities, and the provision of school and medical care for the residents.”

“Incorporation would move the management of some of these functions to a more appropriate public body.”

We will keep you updated on this process as it continues.