Talent is located in Jackson County, between Medford and Ashland along old Highway 99. The elevation here is 1,635' and temperatures vary from 20 to 65 degrees in winter, with occasional fog and snow. Summer temperatures are 65 to 110 degrees, with cool nights. Popular Outdoor Activities are plentiful within the Rogue River National Forest and along the scenic Rogue River.
Jacob Wagner was the first recorded settler, completing his homestead in 1853, naming his settlement "Wagner." In 1854, the military came from Yreka and set up a fort on Jacob's property. The fort was named "Fort Wagner," and was intended to protect the travelers and early settlers from the Native Americans who had lived in the Bear Creek Valley for many years. There was never any trouble from the Indians, so Fort Wagner became a center for social activities and religious services. In 1889, A.P. Talent platted a townsite and named it "Talent." On November 2, 1910, Talent became an incorporated town.
Talent is part of the Medford-Ashland, Oregon metro area.