Merlin, Oregon

Merlin, Oregon
Merlin
Merlin
Coordinates: 42°31′04″N 123°25′13″W / 42.51778°N 123.42028°W / 42.51778; -123.42028
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyJosephine
Area
  Total
4.17 sq mi (10.79 km2)
  Land4.16 sq mi (10.77 km2)
  Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
907 ft (276 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
1,690
  Density406.45/sq mi (156.94/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

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. The area is known for sport fishing and whitewater rafting on the Rogue River. Merlin's ZIP code is 97532.

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.