Merlin, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merlin, Oregon had a total population of 1,617, the 185th largest community in Oregon, with a median household income of $71,806, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Merlin Quick Facts
How Merlin Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,355 | 1,617 | +19.3% |
| Median household income | $66,342 | $71,806 | +8.2% |
| Median home value | $419,100 | $435,000 | +3.8% |
How Merlin Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merlin Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Josephine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants Pass | 39,311 | $59,646 | 14.4% | $382,600 |
| Redwood | 3,721 | $68,125 | 10.8% | $397,800 |
| Cave Junction | 1,691 | $39,291 | 27.7% | $292,900 |
| New Hope | 1,296 | $65,000 | 19.1% | $437,900 |
| Williams | 760 | $78,094 | 8.3% | $592,000 |
| Takilma | 658 | $33,109 | 39.2% | $314,300 |
| Selma | 520 | $43,372 | 9.8% | $231,500 |
| O'Brien | 379 | $29,252 | 13.2% | $168,400 |
| Kerby | 187 | $28,686 | 47.1% | $241,000 |
Cities Similar to Merlin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keno | 1,651 | $72,877 | $339,600 | 18.8% | 11.6% |
| Hines | 1,604 | $78,355 | $288,200 | 37.4% | 14.9% |
| Barview | 1,684 | $78,510 | $246,600 | 14.5% | 4.5% |
| Bunker Hill | 1,626 | $60,058 | $227,600 | 11.7% | 24.3% |
| John Day | 1,609 | $57,891 | $212,100 | 18.0% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Merlin is a small community located in Oregon, within Josephine County. The total population is 1,617. It ranks as the 185th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merlin is 52.8 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. Only 9.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merlin is $71,806. This is 13% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $435,000. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 96.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 52% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Merlin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 14.7%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 4.4%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 36.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merlin, Oregon is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Oregon state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Oregon. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Merlin, Oregon?
Merlin, Oregon has a population of 1,617 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merlin, OR?
The median household income in Merlin is $71,806, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merlin, OR?
The poverty rate in Merlin is 8.8%. This means approximately 143 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merlin, Oregon?
Merlin's population is 84.4% White, 0.0% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merlin, OR?
The median home value in Merlin is $435,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
How educated is Merlin, Oregon?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Merlin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.