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City boundary and annexations

From the U.S. Census Bureau's TIGER/Line maps of the city limits, compared year by year, and the annexations in the council records. How these figures are built

Each year the city reports its legal boundary to the Census Bureau, which publishes it as a map. Comparing the maps shows when the town's land grew, and by how much. The maps are not the legal record: an annexation is the council's resolution and its filing with the state. The population page has the people.

The city covered 2.94 sq mi on the Census Bureau's 2000 map and 4.42 sq mi on January 1, 2026 Derived: 953 acres more. The maps show the city growing in 6 of the 19 releases since.

Map

The city limits on each Census map where the city grew, laid over each other: the darker the shade, the earlier the land was inside the city. North is up; no streets are drawn. Holes are land the city surrounds but does not include.

Tiffin's boundary on the Census Bureau's maps of 2000, 2008, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2026; the table below gives each map's area 2026: 4.42 sq mi 2024: 4.33 sq mi 2022: 4.27 sq mi 2021: 4.18 sq mi 2020: 4.16 sq mi 2008: 4.25 sq mi 2000: 2.94 sq mi 1 mile N ↑
Inside by 2000Inside by 2008Inside by 2020Inside by 2021Inside by 2022Inside by 2024Inside by 2026

Area by year

The boundary on January 1 of each year (the 2000 and 2010 maps: the census boundaries). Area: the published polygon on an equal-area projection Derived; land: the Census Bureau's own land-area figure (none in the 2008 file).

City area on each Census map
Map of January 1Area, sq miAcresLand, sq mi (Census)Change from the map beforeAdded, acresLeft out, acres
20264.4252,8324.424The city grew64.1
20254.3252,7684.323No change
20244.3252,7684.323The city grew36.53.3
20234.2732,7354.271Small adjustment (probably a mapping correction)3.2
20224.2682,7314.266The city grew56.5
20214.1792,6754.177The city grew14.00.1
20204.1582,6614.156The city grew41.34.1
20194.1002,6244.098No change
20184.1002,6244.098Land left out of the city on this map5.4
20174.1082,6294.106Small adjustment (probably a mapping correction)2.34.5
20164.1112,6314.110The line was redrawn33.848.5
20154.1342,6464.132No change
20144.1342,6464.132No change
20134.1342,6464.132No change
20124.1342,6464.132No change
20114.1342,6464.132No change
20104.1342,6464.132Land left out of the city on this map0.174.0
20094.2502,7204.256Small adjustment (probably a mapping correction)0.2
20084.2502,720The city grew (since 2000)917.175.8
20002.9361,8792.932First Census map in this series

What changed, and possible annexations

For each change, the annexation actions in the council records from January 1 of the year before the previous map up to the new map's date. The city reports an annexation to the Census Bureau the spring after it takes effect, sometimes later, so these are possible matches by date only: the records have to be read to know which land each covered.

2025 to 2026: the city grew

64.1 acres added Derived; area 4.425 sq mi.

  • June 17, 2025: Resolution 2025-069, “A Resolution Setting the of Date June 1, 2025, for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Properties to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • July 1, 2025: Resolution 2025-070, “Resolution No. 2025-070 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Properties to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match

2023 to 2024: the city grew

36.5 acres added, 3.3 acres left out Derived; area 4.325 sq mi.

  • February 21, 2023: Resolution 2023-015, “Resolution No. 2023-015 – A Resolution Setting the Date of March 21, 2023, for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • March 21, 2023: Resolution 2023-019, “Resolution No. 2023-019 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa, located at 3287 Ireland Avenue NW” (meeting) (page) possible match

2022 to 2023: small adjustment (probably a mapping correction)

3.2 acres added Derived; area 4.273 sq mi. The Census Bureau also redraws lines when it corrects its maps, so a small change or land left out is not necessarily a legal change.

  • January 5, 2021: Resolution 2021-001, “Resolution 2021-001 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 18, 2021: Resolution 2021-036, “A Resolution Setting the of Date June 15, 2021, for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • June 15, 2021: Resolution 2021-044, “Resolution 2021-044 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa (Vikel)” (meeting) (page) possible match

2021 to 2022: the city grew

56.5 acres added Derived; area 4.268 sq mi.

  • January 7, 2020: Resolution 2020-004, “Resolution 2020-004 – A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • February 4, 2020: Resolution 2020-008, “Resolution 2020-008 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • October 20, 2020: Resolution 2020-080, “A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • November 17, 2020: Resolution 2020-088, “Resolution 2020-088 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • December 15, 2020: Resolution 2020-102, “A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • January 5, 2021: Resolution 2021-001, “Resolution 2021-001 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 18, 2021: Resolution 2021-036, “A Resolution Setting the of Date June 15, 2021, for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • June 15, 2021: Resolution 2021-044, “Resolution 2021-044 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa (Vikel)” (meeting) (page) possible match

2020 to 2021: the city grew

14.0 acres added, 0.1 acres left out Derived; area 4.179 sq mi.

  • April 2, 2019: “Motion to approve to Sealcoat a portion of 340th Street as a Condition of Voluntary Annexation for 2718 340th St SW subject to Johnson County approval by Bartels” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 7, 2019: Resolution 2019-061, “Resolution 2019-061 – A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • June 4, 2019: Resolution 2019-070, “Resolution 2019-070 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • October 15, 2019: Resolution 2019-115, “A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • November 5, 2019: Resolution 2019-117, “Resolution 2019-117 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • January 7, 2020: Resolution 2020-004, “Resolution 2020-004 – A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • February 4, 2020: Resolution 2020-008, “Resolution 2020-008 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • October 20, 2020: Resolution 2020-080, “A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • November 17, 2020: Resolution 2020-088, “Resolution 2020-088 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • December 15, 2020: Resolution 2020-102, “A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match

2019 to 2020: the city grew

41.3 acres added, 4.1 acres left out Derived; area 4.158 sq mi.

  • April 2, 2019: “Motion to approve to Sealcoat a portion of 340th Street as a Condition of Voluntary Annexation for 2718 340th St SW subject to Johnson County approval by Bartels” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 7, 2019: Resolution 2019-061, “Resolution 2019-061 – A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • June 4, 2019: Resolution 2019-070, “Resolution 2019-070 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • October 15, 2019: Resolution 2019-115, “A Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • November 5, 2019: Resolution 2019-117, “Resolution 2019-117 – A Resolution Approving the Annexation of Certain Property to the City of Tiffin, Iowa” (meeting) (page) possible match

2017 to 2018: land left out of the city on this map

5.4 acres left out Derived; area 4.100 sq mi. The Census Bureau also redraws lines when it corrects its maps, so a small change or land left out is not necessarily a legal change.

No annexation action in the records between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2018.

2016 to 2017: small adjustment (probably a mapping correction)

2.3 acres added, 4.5 acres left out Derived; area 4.108 sq mi. The Census Bureau also redraws lines when it corrects its maps, so a small change or land left out is not necessarily a legal change.

  • March 11, 2015: “Ryan motioned to authorize Administrative Staff to Move Forward on the Annexation Process for Sunnybrook” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 13, 2015: Ordinance 2015-374, “Mayor- Don Goedken had discussion with the Mayor about the annexation.” (meeting) (page) possible match

2015 to 2016: the line was redrawn

33.8 acres added, 48.5 acres left out Derived; area 4.111 sq mi. The Census Bureau also redraws lines when it corrects its maps, so a small change or land left out is not necessarily a legal change.

  • March 11, 2015: “Ryan motioned to authorize Administrative Staff to Move Forward on the Annexation Process for Sunnybrook” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 13, 2015: Ordinance 2015-374, “Mayor- Don Goedken had discussion with the Mayor about the annexation.” (meeting) (page) possible match

2009 to 2010: land left out of the city on this map

0.1 acres added, 74.0 acres left out Derived; area 4.134 sq mi. The Census Bureau also redraws lines when it corrects its maps, so a small change or land left out is not necessarily a legal change.

No annexation action in the records between January 1, 2008 and January 1, 2010.

2008 to 2009: small adjustment (probably a mapping correction)

0.2 acres left out Derived; area 4.250 sq mi. The Census Bureau also redraws lines when it corrects its maps, so a small change or land left out is not necessarily a legal change.

No annexation action in the records between January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2009.

2000 to 2008: the city grew

917.1 acres added, 75.8 acres left out Derived; area 4.250 sq mi.

  • January 13, 1999: “Motion Walls, second Ryan to approve a RESOLUTION #1999-1, A RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES, ALTERING THE AREA OF ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN STATE...” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • March 10, 1999: Resolution 1999-015, “Motion Gericke, second Walls to approve a RESOLUTION #1999-15, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF THE "ANNEXATION AGREEMENT" WITH BRADLEY J. THOMSON AND MARSHA...” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • March 10, 1999: Resolution 1999-016, “Motion Kern, second Bartels to approve a RESOLUTION # 1999-16, A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE OWNED BY WASHINGTON PARK...” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 12, 1999: Resolution 1999-023, “Motion Walls, second Ryan to accept Resolution #1999-23, RESOLUTION ACCEPTING VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION REQUEST FROM GRACE-BACCULIS REAL ESTATE” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • September 29, 1999: “Motion Ryan, second Bartels to approve second publication of annexation procedure for voluntary annexations Bacculis-Grace on the north boundary of the city” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • October 13, 1999: “Motion Gericke, second Bartels to approve work completed by Hart Engineering on City of Tiffin Zoning Map and to add new annexation areas to the zoning map upon completion of procedure” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • November 10, 1999: “Motion Bartels, second Gericke to approve RESOLUTION 3 1999-37, A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE OWNED BY FALPH AND FRANKIE...” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 10, 2000: “Motion Gericke, second Ryan that the Mayor be authorized to visit with consenting parties to annexation” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • November 8, 2000: Resolution 2000-016, “Motion Walls, second Ryan to approve a RESOLUTION #2000-16, A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESATE” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • December 13, 2000: “Motion Bartels, second Dils to accept voluntary annexations applications for the City of Tiffin as published, excepting Parcel 42 (south most area), and excepting the east \(...” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • January 10, 2001: “Motion Gericke, second Walls to accept voluntary annexation request from Leonard for property in the northwest sector of the city” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • February 14, 2001: Resolution 2001-007, “Motion Bartels, second Dills to approve a RESOLUTION #2001-7, ACCEPTING VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PAPERS FROM LEONARD” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • February 14, 2001: Resolution 2001-008, “Motion Bartels, second Walls to approve a RESOLUTION #2001-8, A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE MAYOR'S AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE THE APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION as relates to right-of-way...” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • February 21, 2001: “Motion Ryan, second Gericke that the city continue with annexation procedure by requesting that remaining "flag" be included in annexation request” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • March 14, 2001: Resolution 2001-009, “Motion Ryan, second Dils to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2001-9 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION and accepting voluntary annexation papers from Mr.” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • May 9, 2001: “Motion Ryan, second Dils to approve contract with Attorney Frank Smith to provide legal assistance in cooperation with Attorney Greenleaf on annexation matters” (meeting) (page) possible match
  • November 14, 2001: “Motion Bartels, second Walls to approve deferring action as relates to application and request for Allen Annexation to future date as considered and deliberated in special...” (meeting) (page) possible match

Annexations before 2000

The Census Bureau's digital maps begin with the 2000 boundary; these earlier annexation actions in the records have no map to compare with.

  • March 3, 1971: “Glenn Potter made the motion to pass a resolution to annex the following property and Ned Allen seconded it.” (meeting)
  • July 19, 1982: “Motion Rohret to deny the request by Miss Potterfield and John W. Grace for voluntary annexation of three tracts of land north of present city limits on either side of Roberts...” (meeting)
  • July 19, 1982: “Motion Stevens second Cox to authorize issuance of a building permit for tract 2 of the annexation as requested by Amanda Potterfield once the papers are filed and drawing is...” (meeting)
  • July 19, 1982: Resolution 1982-008, “Motion Brown second Cox to adopt Resolution No. 1982-8 accepting petition for annexation by Amanda Potterfield, John W. Grace and Betty Lou Grace, agreements requiring R-1...” (meeting)
  • September 8, 1982: “Motion Stevens second Cox to refer request by Amanda Potterfield for rezoning of tract 2 in Potterfield annexation from A-1 to R-1 to Planning and Zoning Commission” (meeting)
  • September 28, 1983: “Motion Brown second Stevens to accept petition by John W. Grace for voluntary annexation of approximately 131 acres north of Tiffin” (meeting)
  • October 12, 1983: “Motion Stevens second Brown to approve petition for voluntary annexation of 53\( \frac{1}{2} \) acres north of city limits as presented by owners, John W. and Betty Lou Grace” (meeting)
  • December 14, 1983: “A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ROAD MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TIFFIN AND THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONCERNING ROBERTS FERRY ROAD IN POTTERFIELD...” (meeting)
  • October 13, 1993: Resolution 1993-024, “A Resolution Requesting the Iowa Department of Transportation to Request Voluntary Annexation of Highway 6 Inside the City of Tiffin, Iowa”
  • August 9, 1995: Resolution 1995-017, “A Resolution Accepting an Application for Voluntary Annexation of Certain Real Estate Owned by Yvonne Bigelow, Diana J. Bigelow, Nancy A. Bigelow; and George R. Reeve and Hazel...”
About these figures

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, TIGER/Line Shapefiles, Iowa places (public domain): the 2000 and 2010 census boundaries from the TIGER2010 release and every yearly release from 2008 to 2026, each linked from its year above, retrieved November 11, 2026. A yearly file shows the boundary the city reported to the Boundary and Annexation Survey as in effect on January 1. The archive computes each map's area and compares each map with the one before on a 5-metre grid: land added, land left out. A change under about 5 acres either way is called a small adjustment, likely a mapping correction; a change that adds land and drops little is growth. The annexation actions are the council records' (the town history's annexation events, read from motions and resolutions), matched by date only.

Data last updated November 12, 2026. Built from the archive's documents; see how the data is built.