Merlin, Oregon

Merlin is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 1,615.[1] The area is known for sport fishing and whitewater rafting on the Rogue River. Merlin's ZIP code is 97532.

Merlin, Oregon
Census-designated place
Merlin
Merlin
Coordinates: 42°31′04″N 123°25′13″W
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyJosephine
Area
 • Total4.27 sq mi (11.07 km2)
 • Land4.27 sq mi (11.05 km2)
 • Water0.008 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
907 ft (276 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,615
 • Density379/sq mi (146.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
97532
Area code(s)458 and 541
FIPS code41-47650
GNIS feature ID1166680

A new railroad station in this location in 1883 was called "Jump Off Joe" for a local stream. The station was renamed "Merlin" in October 1886. The name came from a railroad civil engineer who named it for the merlins (a type of falcon) he saw in the area. "McAllister" post office was established about a mile north of Merlin in 1885, then moved to the vicinity of the railroad station and renamed Merlin in 1891.[2]

Geography

Merlin is located 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Grants Pass. It sits in the valley of Jumpoff Joe Creek, 4 miles (6 km) east of where that stream joins the Rogue River. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Merlin CDP has a total area of 4.27 square miles (11.07 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.19%, are water.[1]

Merlin lies at an elevation of about 277 m (909 ft) above MSL.

References
  1. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Merlin CDP, Oregon". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  2. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 637. ISBN 978-0875952772.


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