Merangin Regency is a regency (kabupaten) of Jambi Province on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It was created on 4 October 1999 by the division of the former Sarolangun Bangko Regency into a new Sarolangun Regency in the east and this Merangin Regency in the west. The regency covers an area of 7,544.24 km2, and had a population of 333,206 at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 354,052 at the 2020 census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 378,357 (comprising 189,365 males and 184,044 females in 2024).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Merangin Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1502) The administrative capital is the town of Bangko.
Borders Geographically, Merangin Regency lies between 101032’39” – 102038’35” east longitude, and 1039’23” – 2046’9” south longitude. Merangin Regency borders on Bungo Regency on the north side, Tebo Regency to the northeast, Sarolangun Regency on the east side, Lebong Regency (in Bengkulu Province) on the south side and Kerinci Regency on the west side.
Administrative districts Merangin Regency is divided into twenty-four districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areasBadan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Merangin Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1502) and their populations at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and the 2020 census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. together with the official estimates as of mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Merangin Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1502) For ease of reference, these are grouped into three geographical sectors, which have no administrative significance. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 205 rural desa and 10 urban kelurahan), and its post code.
Kode Wilayah Name ofDistrict(kecamatan) Areain km2 Pop'n 2010Census Pop'n 2020Census Pop'n mid 2025Estimate Admin centre No. of villagesPostcode 15.02.01 Jangkat 951.54 8,932 9,712 9,912 Muara Madras11 37372 15.02.18 Sungai Tenang (Jangkat Timur) 649.48 9,005 9,409 9,856 Rantau Suli14 37374 15.02.03 Muara Siau 631.36 9,327 10,063 10,706 Pasar Muara Siau17 37370 15.02.09 Lembah Masurai 672.90 19,522 13,875 14,661 Pasar Masurai15 37373 15.02.24 Tiang Pumpung 290.42 4,586 4,684 4,853 Sekancing6 37371 15.02.06 Pamenang 329.92 30,362 33,476 35,990 Pamenang14 (a) 37352 15.02.13 Pamenang Barat (West Pamenang) 188.38 15,737 17,294 18,563 Simpang Limbur Merangin8 37318 15.02.19 Renah Pamenang 93.65 13,439 14,416 15,294 Meranti4 37351 Sub-totals Southern sector 3,807.65 110,910 112,929 119,835 89 15.02.20 Pamenang Selatan (South Pamenang) 152.18 9,612 10,430 11,127 Tambang Emas4 37319 15.02.02 Bangko 166.17 45,557 48,857 51,824 Pasar Atas Bangko8 (b) 37311- 37314 15.02.10 Bangko Barat (West Bangko) 192.08 10,607 10,985 11,457 Pulau Rengas Ulu6 37315 15.02.11 Nalo Tantan 101.65 11,674 16,988 20,491 Lubuk Gaung7 37317 15.02.12 Batang Masumai 194.42 9,563 10,702 11,589 Sungai Ulak10 37316 15.02.04 Sungai Manau 279.79 9,577 10,216 10,809 Sungai Manau10 37363 15.02.16 Renah Pembarap 93.65 11,623 12,987 14,053 Simpang Parit12 37362 15.02.17 Pangkalan Jambu 403.52 6,142 6,409 6,709 Sungai Jering8 37361 Sub-totals Eastern sector 1,583.66 114,35 127,574 138,059 65 15.02.05 Tabir 350.50 27,602 28,594 29,828 Pasar Rantau Panjang11 (c) 37350 15.02.07 Tabir Ulu 208.75 8,411 8,144 8,377 Muara Jernih6 37356 15.02.08 Tabir Selatan (South Tabir) 191.73 26,397 29,313 31,623 Rawa Jaya8 37354 15.02.14 Tabir Ilir 183.29 9,623 8,861 9,110 Rantau Limau Manis7 37358 15.02.15 Tabir Timur (East Tabit) 93.74 7,381 7,908 8,385 Sungai Bulian4 37355 15.02.22 Tabir Lintas 113.26 7,375 8,112 8,711 Mensango5 37357 15.02.21 Margo Tabir 120.94 12,941 13,604 14,292 Tanjung Rejo6 37359 15.02.23 Tabir Barat (West Tabir) 733.28 8,211 9,305 10,137 Muara Kibul14 37353 Sub-totals Northern sector 1,995.49 107,941 113,841 120,463 61 Totals for Regency 7,544.24 333,206 354,052 378,357 Bangko215
Notes: (a) including one kelurahan - the town of Pamenang, with 7,376 inhabitants in mid 2022. (b) comprising 4 kelurahan (with populations in mid 2022) - Dusun Bangko (12,968), Pasar Bangko (2,338), Pasar Atas Bangko (5,884) and Pematang Kandis (16,624) - plus 4 desa. (c) comprising 5 kelurahan (with populations in mid 2022) - Dusun Baru (7,320), Mampun (4,122), Kampung Baruh (3,901), Pasar Baru Rantau (2,572) and Pasar Rantau Panjang (4,511) - plus 6 desa.
However, the last-mentioned eight districts, comprising the northern 26.45% of Merangin Regency, are planned to be separated out to form a new Regency - Kabupaten Tabir Raya; these eight districts cover 1,995.49 km2 and had an estimated combined population of 113,841 at the 2020 census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. rising to an estimated 120,463 in mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Merangin Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1502) However, the implementation of this scheme is delayed due to the moratorium (since 2013) by the Indonesian Government on the creation of new regencies and cities.
Merangin Geopark Merangin Geopark has been proposed to UNESCO to be a World's Heritage Merangin Geopark and a UNESCO team has visited Merangin Geopark. The Geopark has a Araucarioxylon fossil tree complete with the root of 300 million years, the oldest in Asia. Today the ancient Merangin River is usually used for white water sports.
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