It is not to be confused with Pfäffikon SZ on Lake Zurich but in the canton of Schwyz.

The native name of the fort is unknown, thus Irgenhausen was mentioned in 811 AD as Camputuna sive Irincheshusa.

Of the rest of the land, 16.7% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (16.5%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).

[5] Pfäffikon is situated on Pfäffikersee in Zürcher Oberland southeastern of the city of Zürich.

Neighbouring municipalities are Bäretswil, Bauma, Fehraltorf, Hittnau, Russikon, Seegräben, Uster, Wetzikon and Wildberg.

The town is divided into four districts (Aussenwachten), namely Auslikon, Irgenhausen and Rutschberg situated on Pfäffikersee, as well as the districts of Ober Balm, Unter Balm, Bussenhausen, Oberwil, Sulzberg, Hermatswil, Schür, Wallikon, Rick, Ravensbühl, and Faichrüti.

The wettest month is August during which time Pfäffikon receives an average of 136 mm (5.4 in) of precipitation.

[7] Pfäffikon ZH railway station is a stop of the S-Bahn Zürich on the line S3.