Merlin ZIP Codes — Josephine County, OR

There is one unique ZIP code in Merlin, Oregon and it is 97532. Area code: 541/458.
1
ZIP codes
84.40
sq mi land
0.25
sq mi water
541/458
area code
Merlin, OR ZIP code map

About Merlin, OR

Merlin is a charming unincorporated community located in Josephine County, Oregon. Nestled along the banks of the Rogue River, it offers picturesque views and a laid-back lifestyle for its residents. With its rich natural surroundings and close-knit atmosphere, Merlin is a delightful place for both visitors and locals alike.

Location & geography

Merlin is situated in the southwestern part of Oregon, approximately 8 miles south of Grants Pass, which serves as the largest nearby city. The community is characterized by a diverse terrain that includes lush forests and the winding Rogue River, contributing to its scenic beauty. Covering a total land area of 84.40 square miles and a water area of 0.25 square miles, Merlin provides ample space for outdoor activities and exploration.

Community & economy

The character of Merlin reflects a tight-knit community, where residents often enjoy outdoor recreational activities, including fishing and hiking in the surrounding areas. The economy in Merlin is primarily driven by agriculture, as well as tourism, with many visitors drawn to the natural beauty of the Rogue River. Daily life in Merlin is marked by a strong sense of community, with local events and gatherings that foster connections among residents.

Transportation

The main route serving Merlin is Highway 199, which connects the community to Grants Pass and other nearby areas. For air travel, the nearest significant airport is the Grants Pass Airport, located just north of Merlin. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit in the area.

History

Merlin was initially established as a trading post in the late 19th century, serving the local mining and agricultural industries. Over the years, the community has developed a reputation for its natural tourism, notably for recreational activities on the Rogue River. Notable events in its history include the establishment of local parks and community initiatives aimed at preserving the scenic landscape.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Merlin is that it was once home to the Merlin Caves, which attracted visitors and explorers due to their unique geological features. Additionally, Merlin is known for its vibrant autumn colors, making it a stunning destination during the fall season.

ZIP codes for Merlin, OR (1)
ZIP code City County Map
97532 Merlin Josephine View map

Demographics & statistics

2,580
Population
52.8
Median age
$74,837
Median household income
$37,958
Per capita income
$359,000
Median home value
$777
Median monthly rent
81.7%
Home ownership
6.7%
Poverty rate
4.8%
Unemployment
947
Housing units
19.6%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
48
Under 5
52
61
5–9
66
11
10–14
13
66
15–19
72
7
20–24
8
202
25–34
221
78
35–44
84
173
45–54
189
112
55–59
122
108
60–64
118
146
65–74
158
220
75–84
240
2
85+
3
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1836414.1%
18 and over2,21685.9%
65 and over76929.8%
Median age52.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.7%
Two or more races 8.2%
Hispanic or Latino 4.8%
Other race 0.4%
GroupCount%
White2,34886.7%
Two or more races2228.2%
Hispanic or Latino1294.8%
Other race100.4%

Household income

Under $10k 2.6%
$10k–$15k 1.7%
$15k–$25k 12.1%
$25k–$35k 4.3%
$35k–$50k 6.5%
$50k–$75k 23.1%
$75k–$100k 20.4%
$100k–$150k 12.5%
$150k–$200k 5.7%
$200k+ 11.2%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.6%
$10k–$15k1.7%
$15k–$25k12.1%
$25k–$35k4.3%
$35k–$50k6.5%
$50k–$75k23.1%
$75k–$100k20.4%
$100k–$150k12.5%
$150k–$200k5.7%
$200k+11.2%
Median income$74,837

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.0%
$100k–$150k 2.5%
$200k–$300k 31.6%
$300k–$500k 43.6%
$500k–$1M 21.2%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$359,000
Median rent / month$777
Owner occupied81.7%
Renter occupied18.3%
Vacant7.3%
Single-family detached87.2%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes12.8%
Median rooms5.3
Avg household size (owned)2.49

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–200914.1%
1990–199921.7%
1980–198925.3%
1970–197921.1%
1960–19695.3%
1950–19597.5%
1940–19491.6%
1939 or earlier3.3%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.0%
1 bedroom6.0%
2 bedrooms17.7%
3 bedrooms61.2%
4 bedrooms14.1%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle17.6%
2 vehicles46.2%
3 or more36.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas8.6%
Electricity52.7%
Propane / LP gas2.3%
Fuel oil4.0%
Wood32.4%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family61057.7%
Cohabiting couple14413.6%
Male householder, no spouse19818.7%
Female householder, no spouse10610.0%
Households with children under 1833531.7%
Households with seniors (65+)43841.4%
Average household size2.43

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married28.3%19.6%
Married55.0%63.7%
Separated7.9%2.4%
Widowed1.6%5.9%
Divorced7.2%8.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 10.8%
HS graduate 21.8%
Some college, no degree 39.4%
Associate's degree 8.4%
Bachelor's degree 9.7%
Graduate / professional 10.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher89.2%
Bachelor's or higher19.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool8414.7%
Kindergarten40.7%
Elementary school12121.2%
High school11319.8%
College / grad school25043.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.5%
Retail trade 17.7%
Professional & management 8.5%
Construction 8.4%
Public administration 8.0%
Information 7.9%
Agriculture & mining 7.1%
Manufacturing 6.4%
Other services 4.8%
Transportation & utilities 4.0%
Finance & real estate 2.8%
Arts, food & hospitality 1.0%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts42.1%
Service11.1%
Sales & office21.6%
Natural resources & construction20.0%
Production & transportation5.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector66.5%
Government19.0%
Self-employed14.5%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone89.2%
Carpool0.9%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)34.4

Poverty

All people 6.7%
Under 18 years 6.6%
18 and over 6.7%
Married-couple families 0.8%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security48.1%
Retirement income29.1%
Supplemental Security2.7%
Cash public assistance2.4%
Food stamps / SNAP17.7%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure37.7%
High cholesterol38.8%
Heart disease9.6%
Stroke4.5%
Asthma11.2%
Arthritis32.1%
Kidney disease4.0%
Pulmonary disease9.9%
Cancer9.1%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking13.6%
No physical activity22.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep31.8%
Fair or poor health18.0%
Poor mental health14.7%
Poor physical health13.5%
No health insurance10.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.4%
Visited dentist67.0%
Cholesterol screening92.2%
Teeth loss14.4%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans29513.3%
Disability%
Any disability17.9%
Under 182.5%
18–64 years11.4%
65 and over37.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance75.5%
Public insurance44.3%
Uninsured under 199.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only2,48096.1%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)2,44794.8%
Born in same state2,42994.1%
Born in different state76129.5%
Foreign born180.7%
Naturalized citizen1335.2%
Not a US citizen11385.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian30811.9%
Arab2098.1%
French1124.3%
AncestryCount%
Polish261%
Dutch230.9%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access41.0%
Internet access98.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Merlin, OR have?
Merlin, OR has one ZIP code: 97532. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete Oregon ZIP code database? Download all OR ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →