A little community close to Texas’ southernmost point became a brand-new city in May 2025.
A City Born from Rockets and Ambition
The city is called Starbase, and it was created around SpaceX’s massive rocket site. Nearly all 500 residents are either employees of SpaceX or their family members. This new city, built around the ambitious Starship rocket program, shows how a private company can shape local government and community.
Starbase is located near Boca Chica Village, just a few miles from the border with Mexico. In the early 2010s, Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, decided that Texas offered a better business environment than California. In 2012, SpaceX bought land in this quiet coastal area to develop and launch its rockets. Back then, only around 30 homes stood in Boca Chica.
By 2014, SpaceX had already announced that this area would be the main site for the Starship rocket program. To make room for this large project, the company offered to buy homes from local residents, warning some that the area was “not safe” to live in anymore. Some homeowners left. Others stayed. More SpaceX workers started to move in at the same time.
In 2021, SpaceX suggested the idea of turning the area into a city. After filing a petition in late 2024, a local vote was held in May 2025. On May 3, residents around the launch site voted almost unanimously in favor of the plan — 212 supported it, while only 6 opposed, according to official election data.
Who Lives and Leads in Starbase?
Today, about 500 people live in Starbase. Most of them are families of the 260 SpaceX employees who are officially residents. SpaceX founder Elon Musk is registered to vote in the city and owns a residence there. Back in 2021, he said he lived in a small home worth around $50,000, which he rents from SpaceX.
Every day, more than 3,000 workers commute to Starbase, many passing by a striking nine-foot-tall golden statue of Musk’s head on their way in. This odd monument stands as a reminder of how deeply connected Musk is to the city.
The leadership of Starbase also comes straight from SpaceX. With 216 votes, veteran SpaceX employee Bobby Peden won the mayoral election without facing any opposition. He is currently the Vice President of Texas Test & Launch operations and has been with the organization for more than 12 years.
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SpaceX insiders also make up the city commissioners. Jordan Buss joined SpaceX in 2023 and currently serves as the senior director of environmental health and safety. Jenna Petrzelka, another commissioner, was previously an operations engineering manager and has been with SpaceX since 2012. Together, they handle key decisions about the city, including building approvals and city planning.
Despite being only 1.5 square miles in size, the city has already processed over 100 building permits for new homes and businesses. Due to the housing shortage, many employees still have to commute daily. Texas State Highway 4 is the only route in and out, making it an essential route for day-to-day activities.
In June 2025, municipal officials formally declared May 29 to be Starbase Day, a commemoration of the city’s founding and future goals, and published a public letter outlining their accomplishments.
Pushback from Locals and Environmental Concerns
While the creation of Starbase has been exciting for many inside SpaceX, not everyone supports the idea. Some residents and environmental activists have voiced strong concerns about the company’s impact on the local area.
One major issue is the potential environmental damage from rocket launches. These launches can cause pollution and disrupt the nearby ecosystem, especially the water systems and local wildlife. Boca Chica Beach, a nearby popular spot for fishing and swimming, has become a symbol in the fight over land use.
Lawmakers prevented SpaceX from using Highway 4 and portions of Boca Chica Beach for rocket launches in April 2025. But in June, that ruling was overturned. More protests were sparked when Starbase’s leaders were later given authority over beach and road closures.
One organization that has been particularly outspoken is the South Texas Environmental Justice Network. They argue that the beach belongs to the people and should not be controlled by a private company. According to the group, families have been visiting the beach for generations to enjoy the outdoors, and they fear that could now be limited or lost.
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Starbase’s official city website includes a section about beach and road closures, aiming to provide information to the public. But the controversy continues, as some worry that the creation of Starbase is less about community and more about corporate control.
Despite the objections, the city of Starbase now has official power to govern itself, make zoning rules, and issue building permits — all previously handled by Cameron County. This gives SpaceX significant influence not just over its launch site, but also over the entire surrounding area.
