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 7,679.0 km2, and had a population of 333,206 at the 2010 census[2] and 354,052 at the 2020 census;[3] the official estimate as of mid-2024 was 373,409 - comprising 189,365 males and 184,044 females.[1] 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 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 areas and their populations at the 2010 census[2] and the 2020 census,[3] together with the official estimates as of mid-2024.[1] 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 of District (kecamatan)
Area in km2
Pop'n 2010 Census
Pop'n 2020 Census
Pop'n mid 2024 Estimate
Admin centre
No. of villages
Post code
15.02.01
Jangkat
967.23
8,932
9,712
9,813
Muara Madras
11
37372
15.02.18
Sungai Tenang (Jangkat Timur)
593.46
9,005
9,409
9,767
Rantau Suli
14
37374
15.02.03
Muara Siau
655.06
9,327
10,063
10,576
Pasar Muara Siau
17
37370
15.02.09
Lembah Masurai
688.99
19,522
13,875
14,503
Pasar Masurai
15
37373
15.02.24
Tiang Pumpung
274.86
4,586
4,684
4,819
Sekancing
6
37371
15.02.06
Pamenang
346.54
30,362
33,476
35,479
Pamenang
14 (a)
37352
15.02.13
Pamenang Barat (West Pamenang)
199.55
15,737
17,294
18,306
Simpang Limbur Merangin
8
37318
15.02.19
Renah Pamenang
107.58
13,439
14,416
15,117
Meranti
4
37351
15.02.20
Pamenang Selatan (South Pamenang)
167.47
9,612
10,430
10,986
Tambang Emas
4
37319
15.02.02
Bangko
168.39
45,557
48,857
51,229
Pasar Atas Bangko
8 (b)
37311 -37314
15.02.10
Bangko Barat (West Bangko)
196.47
10,607
10,985
11,364
Pulau Rengas Ulu
6
37315
15.02.11
Nalo Tantan
206.58
11,674
16,988
19,741
Lubuk Gaung
7
37317
15.02.12
Batang Masumai
111.34
9,563
10,702
11,408
Sungai Ulak
10
37316
15.02.04
Sungai Manau
295.50
9,577
10,216
10,690
Sungai Manau
10
37363
15.02.16
Renah Pembarap
272.86
11,623
12,987
13,835
Simpang Parit
12
37362
15.02.17
Pangkalan Jambu
427.05
6,142
6,409
6,649
Sungai Jering
8
37361
15.02.05
Tabir
333.33
27,602
28,594
29,583
Pasar Rantau Panjang
11 (c)
37350
15.02.07
Tabir Ulu
219.64
8,411
8,144
8,331
Muara Jernih
6
37356
15.02.08
Tabir Selatan (South Tabir)
196.25
26,397
29,313
31,153
Rawa Jaya
8
37354
15.02.14
Tabir Ilir
158.92
9,623
8,861
9,061
Rantau Limau Manis
7
37358
15.02.15
Tabir Timur (East Tabit)
108.75
7,381
7,908
8,289
Sungai Bulian
4
37355
15.02.22
Tabir Lintas
115.38
7,375
8,112
8,589
Mensango
5
37357
15.02.21
Margo Tabir
128.30
12,941
13,604
14,154
Tanjung Rejo
6
37359
15.02.23
Tabir Barat (West Tabir)
739.50
8,211
9,305
9,967
Muara Kibul
14
37353
Totals
7,679.00
333,206
354,052
373,409
Bangko
215
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% of Merangin Regency, are planned to be separated out to form a new Regency - Kabupaten Tabir Raya; these eight districts cover 2,000.07 km2 and had an estimated combined population of 113,841 at the 2020 census,[3] rising to an estimated 119,127 in mid 2024.[1] 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.[4]
References
1234Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kabupaten Merangin Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1502)
