The home of Elon Musk's SpaceX in the southern part of the US state of Texas has become an official city.



A referendum was held on Saturday to decide whether to approve the area in Cameron County as a new city.



Results show 212 votes in favor and six against.



The Associated Press says most of the 283 eligible voters in the area are believed to be workers from SpaceX's Starbase -- a facility where rockets are launched. The new city has taken on the Starbase name.



Musk wrote on social media, "Starbase, Texas Is now a real city!"



A senior SpaceX official has been elected the city's first mayor.



Company officials have reportedly told lawmakers that granting the city the authority to close a nearby beach for safety reasons when rockets are launched would streamline operations.



One major media outlet says the creation of an official company town has drawn criticism that Musk's personal control over the area will expand.