States · Georgia · Lake Tara

Lake Tara at Fairfield Plantation, Georgia

Fairfield Plantation is a 2,400-acre private gated community in Carroll County, Georgia, approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta via I-20. The community contains three connected lakes totaling 330+ acres — Lake Tara as the main community lake, plus Lake Caroline and Lake Henry. Annual HOA Master Association dues run $1,950 with a $970 initiation fee at closing. The community features an 18-hole golf course, marina with the Dockside Restaurant and Bar, two community pools, beach, pickleball, tennis, recreation center, and 24/7 gated security. Powered gas boats are permitted on the lakes. Carroll County's relatively low effective property tax rate makes Fairfield Plantation one of the most cost-effective gated communities in the Atlanta metro region.

Operator:Fairfield Plantation Master Association — Private
Community Size
2,400 acres (Fairfield Plantation)
Lakes
3 lakes, 330+ acres total
Primary Lake
Lake Tara — main community lake
Annual HOA
$1,950/year (2024)
Initiation Fee
$970 for new owners
County
Carroll County (Villa Rica)
Boating
Gas-powered boats allowed
Golf
18-hole community course
From Atlanta
~40 mi W via I-20
Data Verified
June 2026

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The Critical Name Disambiguation: Carroll County, NOT Clayton County

Before any other research about Lake Tara, the most important fact: this Lake Tara is in Carroll County, Georgia, at Fairfield Plantation in the Villa Rica area approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta via I-20. There is a separate "Lake Tara" suburb in Clayton County (the Jonesboro / Lake City area south of Atlanta) that is a completely different location. The Fairfield Plantation Lake Tara is a private gated community lake; the Clayton County Lake Tara is a different suburban context entirely.

When researching Lake Tara properties, listings, or local information, verify the Carroll County context to ensure you are looking at the correct lake. Search terms like "Lake Tara Georgia," "Lake Tara real estate," or similar can produce results from both locations. Confirm county jurisdiction (Carroll vs Clayton), specific community name (Fairfield Plantation vs Lake City suburb), and the geographic context (west of Atlanta vs south of Atlanta) before any due diligence work.

Three Lakes Within Fairfield Plantation

Fairfield Plantation is not a single-lake community — three connected lakes total 330+ acres of community water within the 2,400-acre property. Lake Tara is the main lake and the most prominent waterfront destination. Lake Caroline and Lake Henry provide additional waterfront options and varied water experiences within the gated community. The connected lake system supports more diverse boating and waterfront recreation than a single-lake community could provide at comparable property scale.

For buyers evaluating Fairfield Plantation, the three-lake system means waterfront properties exist on each lake with different characteristics. Lake Tara waterfront commands the primary lakefront premium pricing. Lake Caroline and Lake Henry waterfront provide alternative options at potentially different price points. Boating through the connected lakes provides variety that single-lake communities cannot offer.

The Fairfield Plantation Amenity Inventory

Fairfield Plantation supports an integrated amenity inventory including the 18-hole golf course with the Dockside Restaurant and Bar at the marina, 2 community pools, a beach area, pickleball and tennis courts, a recreation center, and 24/7 staffed gated security. The amenity infrastructure is substantial for a community of Fairfield's scale and provides the integrated lifestyle that gated community buyers specifically seek. Powered gas-powered boats are permitted on the lakes, supporting standard recreational boating activities.

Everything We Cover on Lake Tara / Fairfield Plantation

Independent research on every topic Lake Tara buyers ask about — the $1,950/year HOA structure, the three-lake community context, Carroll County's favorable tax rate, the critical Carroll vs Clayton County disambiguation, and how Fairfield Plantation compares to other Atlanta-area gated communities.

Money & Costs

The Real Cost of Living at Lake Tara / Fairfield Plantation

$1,950 annual HOA Master Association fee, $970 initiation, Carroll County low effective tax rate. Total carrying cost at $400K-$800K. The honest math.

Carroll County Property Tax at Lake Tara

Carroll County millage among the lower metro-adjacent counties. GA 40% assessment ratio. Senior exemption for 62+. Comparison to other Atlanta-area lake counties.

Fairfield Plantation HOA Structure

$1,950/yr Master Association, $970 initiation, monthly $120-$344 range for some property types. What dues cover vs separate amenity costs.

Lake Tara Lakefront Insurance

Metro-adjacent construction costs, gated community ISO advantage. Carrier options serving Carroll County. Gas-motor boating produces standard liability profile.

Buying & Ownership

What Nobody Tells You About Lake Tara

Three-lake community, not single lake. Not the Lake Tara/Jonesboro suburb. HOA disclosure required. Initiation fee at closing. Confusing name disambiguation.

Buying at Fairfield Plantation: The Process

Verify which Lake Tara (Carroll County, NOT Clayton County). HOA disclosure review, initiation fee at closing, gate access setup, marina arrangements.

Fairfield Plantation Neighborhoods

Lake Tara waterfront, Lake Caroline frontage, Lake Henry sections, golf corridor lots. How the named areas inside the 2,400 acres map to price and view.

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Lifestyle

Year-Round Living at Lake Tara

Tanner Health 18 min, Atlanta 40 mi E for major medical. Mild central GA climate. Carroll County schools. Atlanta access for occasional metro trips.

Retiring at Lake Tara

Georgia $65K retirement exclusion, Carroll County senior exemption, gated security, golf and lake amenities for active retirement. The honest math.

Dockside Restaurant and Bar

On-property dining at the community marina. Casual dining for residents and members. Lake views and social anchor for the Fairfield community.

Recreation

Boating at Lake Tara and the Three Lakes

Powered boats allowed (gas motors), marina infrastructure, 330+ acres of community water across three connected lakes. What watercraft fits Fairfield Plantation.

Fishing at Lake Tara

Member-only three-lake fishery. Bass, bream, crappie under POA management. Community-scale fishing with limited angling pressure.

Alternatives to Lake Tara

Big Canoe, Bent Tree, Lake Arrowhead in N Georgia, Lake Allatoona public lake. When each better fits buyers exploring beyond Carroll County.

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